Three killed, two injured in shooting near Israeli consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye

A gunfight broke out outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul’s Levent district on Tuesday, leaving three attackers dead and two police officers injured , Turkish authorities reported. The incident unfolded when the assailants, armed with rifles and handguns , opened fire near the consulate, which has been unstaffed since 2023 amid regional tensions.

Eyewitnesses described a tense exchange of gunfire lasting around ten minutes , with officers taking cover behind vehicles as the attackers fired on security personnel. The Turkish police responded swiftly, neutralizing all three assailants. The injured officers were treated for minor wounds. Authorities sealed off the area immediately to secure the site and prevent further escalation.

Investigators revealed that the attackers arrived in a rented vehicle from Izmit , about 100 kilometres east of Istanbul. Two of the suspects were identified as brothers, with one having a prior criminal record. Turkish officials noted that the assailants may have had ties to a group that “exploits religion” , though no formal claim of responsibility has yet been made.

Israeli diplomatic staff were not present at the consulate at the time of the attack. A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that no Israeli personnel were on site during the incident. Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation, and international officials, including the U.S. ambassador to Turkey , condemned the attack as a serious security threat .

Authorities are continuing to probe the attackers’ motives and whether the assault targeted the consulate specifically or the police guarding it. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by diplomatic missions in Istanbul amid regional tensions in the Middle East.