Daijiworld Media Network - Istanbul

Istanbul, Apr 7: One attacker was killed and two others injured in a prolonged gun battle with police outside a building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday.

According to witnesses, the attackers, carrying backpacks, opened fire using automatic rifles and handguns near a police checkpoint. Security personnel returned fire and took cover around parked police buses as the exchange of gunfire continued for nearly 10 minutes in the city’s financial district.

One body was seen lying on the street, while at least one person was reported injured. Authorities later confirmed that two police officers sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Officials said no Israeli staff were present at the consulate at the time of the attack. Israeli diplomats had already left Turkey following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in late 2023, which had led to large protests and strained ties between the two countries.

Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said the attackers had links to an organisation that “exploits religion,” though no specific group was named. He added that two of the attackers were brothers who had travelled from Izmit in a rented vehicle.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack described the incident as an attack on the Israeli consulate and condemned the violence.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan termed it a “heinous terrorist attack” and said it would not undermine Turkey’s security. Israel’s foreign ministry appreciated the swift response of Turkish security forces in preventing further damage.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said the incident occurred around midday near a major motorway as many workers in the area were on lunch break.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have remained tense since 2023, with diplomatic ties largely frozen and security heightened around Israeli establishments in Turkey.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.