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One attacker was killed, and two others were captured and wounded after opening fire on police outside the Israeli Consulate General in Istanbul's Besiktas district on Tuesday, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed, rectifying earlier reports.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced an immediate criminal investigation into the incident.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul stated, "One of the attackers was killed, and two were captured wounded."
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated, "Three individuals who engaged in an armed clash with our police officers on duty in front of the Yapi Kredi Plaza Blocks in Istanbul were neutralized. In the clash, two of our heroic police officers were lightly injured."
The identities of the terrorists have been identified, with the Turkish interior minister noting, "It has been determined that one of the individuals who arrived in Istanbul from Izmit using a rental vehicle has ties to an organization that exploits religion; and one of the two terrorists, who are brothers, has a drug record."
Three suspects arrived at the building housing the Israeli Consulate General on Buyukdere Avenue in Levent wearing tactical camouflage clothing, carrying backpacks and armed with long-barreled weapons, according to Turkish media outlet NTV and other reports from the scene.
The consulate had been closed for a long time, with only protective police stationed outside.
Security measures around the consulate had been heightened following the Gaza war.
The suspects opened fire on the police officers present. The clash lasted approximately 10 minutes.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the opening of a formal criminal investigation in a statement on social media.
"An investigation has been immediately launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding reports of gunfire near the Israeli Consulate in the Besiktas district of Istanbul," Gurlek said.
"Within the scope of the investigation, one deputy prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned, and our prosecutors have swiftly proceeded to the scene to begin examinations. Work is being continued under the coordination of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office together with relevant law enforcement units, with the aim of fully clarifying all aspects of the incident, and the investigation is being conducted meticulously and comprehensively," he noted.
Türkiye's Ministry of Interior issued the following statement regarding the attack: "As a result of the armed attack against our riot police officers on duty in front of the Yapi Kredi Plaza Blocks in Besiktas district of Istanbul, 3 terrorists were neutralized. Two of our heroic police officers, who immediately responded to the attack, were slightly injured, one in the leg and one in the ear; their injuries are not life-threatening."
"Following the investigation, the identities of the terrorists who carried out the attack have been determined, and it has been established that they rented a vehicle in Izmit and came to Istanbul," the ministry noted.
"It has been learned that Yunus E. S., who was killed, had connections with a terrorist organization that exploits religion, and that the other two terrorists, Onur C. and Enes C., who were captured wounded, are brothers, and that Onur C. has a drug-related record," Turkish interior ministry added.
"Intensive digital communication has been detected between the 3 neutralized terrorists, and the interrogation of the wounded terrorists continues," the statement concluded.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul today. We appreciate the Turkish security forces’ swift action in thwarting this attack. Israeli missions around the world have been subjected to countless threats and terrorist attacks. Terror will not deter us," the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated on X.
The United States has also condemned the attack near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s attack on the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul," U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye Tom Barrack stated on X.
"Attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order — and an assault on the principles that bind nations together. We commend Türkiye and Turkish security forces for their swift and decisive response," Barrack added.
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