Three assailants opened fire at police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent business district on Tuesday, triggering a gunfight that left one attacker dead and two wounded. The incident occurred near Yapı Kredi Plaza Blocks, with video footage showing armed police taking cover as shots rang out for at least 10 minutes.
Key Takeaways
Three assailants opened fire at police outside a vacant Israeli Consulate building in Istanbul's Levent district on Tuesday, sparking a 10-minute shootout that left one attacker dead and two wounded. Two police officers sustained minor injuries. The attackers traveled from Izmit in a rented car; the wounded are brothers with prior criminal records.
- One gunman killed, two captured after attacking Israeli Consulate building in Istanbul
- Attackers carried long-barreled weapons, linked to group 'exploiting religion'
- Two police officers injured: one shot in leg, another grazed in ear
- Consulate has been empty for 2.5 years amid Turkey-Israel tensions
- Turkish President Erdogan condemns attack as 'treacherous' terrorism
Two police officers sustained minor injuries during the clash: one shot in the leg and another grazed in the ear, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that the attackers had traveled from Izmit—about 60 miles east of Istanbul—in a rented car. One assailant was linked to a group described as 'exploiting religion,' though no specific organization was named.
The two wounded attackers were identified as brothers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, with one having a prior criminal record related to drugs. Both are being interrogated by authorities. Video from the attack showed one assailant carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle while hiding behind a bus during the exchange of fire.
The consulate building has been vacant for the past two-and-a-half years due to deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel amid the war in Gaza. Turkish officials confirmed there are no Israeli diplomats present at the mission, as they were withdrawn earlier over security concerns. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned what he called a 'treacherous' attack, vowing to continue fighting terrorism.
The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, and Israel's Foreign Ministry both denounced the assault, praising Turkish authorities for their swift response in thwarting it. Police sealed off the building and blocked several roads while forensic experts combed the area for evidence.
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