A gunfight erupted outside the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, leaving one attacker dead and two others injured, according to Turkish authorities and media reports. The exchange of fire took place near a permanent security checkpoint and continued for around 10 minutes, prompting police to take cover and respond with heavy force.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire in the city’s main financial district, where the consulate building is located. Footage from the scene showed an armed individual wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack moving between police vehicles while firing an automatic rifle and a handgun. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area as special units were deployed.
Authorities confirmed that two police officers sustained minor injuries during the incident. Interior officials stated that the attackers had links to an organisation that “exploits religion,” and added that two of the suspects were brothers. Bodies were later seen at multiple locations near the surrounding streets and parking areas.
Istanbul’s governor said that no Israeli diplomatic staff had been present at the consulate for more than two years, following the escalation of the Israel–Hamas conflict in 2023, which led to a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel. The Israeli foreign ministry also confirmed that the facility was unstaffed at the time of the attack.
The incident occurred during midday near a busy motorway, causing panic in the surrounding financial district as gunfire echoed through nearby offices where thousands of employees were on break. The area has remained under heightened security since 2023, with armed police presence maintained due to ongoing regional tensions and past protests linked to the Gaza conflict.
