Three people were killed and two police officers injured in a gun battle near the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, in an incident that Turkish and Israeli officials described as a terrorist attack.
The confrontation unfolded in the Besiktas district, a densely populated business area, where gunfire erupted between attackers and security forces near a checkpoint outside the consulate building.
Police said the assailants, who arrived in a rented car from the city of Izmit, opened fire before officers responded, leading to an exchange that lasted several minutes.
Footage from the scene showed attackers armed with automatic rifles and handguns firing as police took cover and returned fire among parked vehicles.
Authorities said all three attackers were neutralized, with one killed at the scene and the others wounded during the clash.
Two police officers sustained light injuries.
Officials confirmed that no Israeli diplomatic staff were present at the consulate during the incident, as diplomatic personnel had left Turkey in 2023 amid heightened tensions following the Gaza war.
The consulate occupies a floor in a high-rise building located in a major financial district where thousands of people work, raising concerns about potential civilian risk.
An eyewitness reported that the attackers exited a vehicle and began shooting before security forces intervened.
Turkish officials said the attackers had links to an organization that “exploits religion,” without naming it, while noting that an investigation into the incident is underway.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the assault as a “treacherous attack” and vowed continued efforts against terrorism.
Israeli authorities praised Turkey’s response, stating that swift action had prevented further harm.
The United States ambassador to Turkey condemned the incident, calling attacks on diplomatic missions an assault on international norms.
Analysts suggested the attack may be connected to broader regional tensions, including ongoing conflicts involving Israel, though authorities have not confirmed a motive.
Officials also raised concerns that such incidents could aim to undermine Turkey’s stability or draw it deeper into regional conflicts.