A shootout near the abandoned Israeli consulate in Istanbul broke out on Tuesday between police officers and armed assailants, according to Turkish officials.
At least one gunman was killed, and another two were wounded. Separately, two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooting took place outside the Israeli consulate, which has been closed since the Hamas-led attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Istanbul Gov. Davut Gul noted the building has not hosted Israeli staffers since that date, so there was no threat made against them.
The incident came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue waging war against Iran.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the “terrorist attack” and thanked Turkish security forces for stopping the attack.
“Israeli missions around the world have been subjected to countless threats and terrorist attacks,” the ministry said on social media. “Terror will not deter us.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry previously said it is examining reports of the shooting near the unmanned Israeli consulate in the north of Turkey’s largest city.
The gunmen used rifles and pistols in the attack, exchanging fire with officers who took cover. At least two dozen gunshots were heard in under a minute, per video footage of the scene.
Authorities said they arrived in Istanbul from Izmit, about 65 miles away, in a rented vehicle.
The Turkish Interior Ministry identified the three attackers following the shootout.
The deceased gunman was identified as Yunus E.S., whom the ministry said was tied to a “terrorist organization that exploits religion.” No further details on the group were provided.
The two injured gunmen were identified as Onur C. and Enes C., who were determined to be brothers. They remain under interrogation.
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“It has also been established that one of the two terrorists, who are brothers, has a drug record,” Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci posted on X in part.
The Turkish Justice Ministry indicated an investigation into the shooting is underway after three prosecutors had already been assigned to the case.