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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.
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