Three assailants opened fire at police outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent business district on Tuesday, sparking a gunfight that left one attacker dead and two wounded. The attackers were captured after the clash, during which two police officers sustained minor injuries.
Key Takeaways
Three assailants opened fire at police outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent business district on Tuesday. One attacker was killed, two were wounded and captured. Two police officers sustained minor injuries. The attackers traveled from Izmit in a rented car, with one linked to a group exploiting religion.
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. One of the assailants was linked to a group described by Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci as "exploiting religion," though no specific organization was named.
According to multiple sources, the attackers traveled from Izmit in a rented car. The two wounded assailants were identified as brothers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, with one having a criminal record related to drugs. Both are being interrogated by authorities.
The consulate has been empty for the past two-and-a-half years due to deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel amid the war in Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, condemned the attack and praised Turkish authorities for their swift response. Israel's Foreign Ministry also denounced the attack and commended the Turkish security forces' actions.
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