Gunman killed in shootout near Israeli consulate in Istanbul

A gunman was killed and two police officers were wounded during a shootout near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, in an incident described by Turkish authorities as a terrorist attack.

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The confrontation took place in broad daylight in the city’s Besiktas district, where the consulate building is located. According to officials, the two injured officers sustained minor wounds and were not in life-threatening condition.

Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous act of terror” and saying the country would not allow such attacks to undermine public confidence.

“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations,” he said.

Authorities identify suspected attackers

Turkey’s interior minister, Mustafa Ciftci, said the attackers had travelled to Istanbul by rental car from the nearby city of Izmit.

In a statement on social media, the interior ministry identified the gunman who was killed as Yunus E.S. Officials said he had links to a militant organisation described as one that “exploits religion”, a phrase commonly used by Turkish authorities to refer to Islamic State.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attempted attack.

Police initially reported that two attackers had been killed. However, the governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul, later clarified that only one gunman had died.

Two other suspects, identified as brothers Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were injured in the exchange of fire and taken into custody. Authorities said the pair were being questioned as part of the investigation.

Gunfight in busy district

Officials said the attackers used rifles and pistols during the assault.

The two police officers injured in the gunfight were struck in the leg and the ear. Both received medical treatment and their injuries were described as minor.

Turkey’s interior ministry said investigators had detected “intensive digital communication” between the three suspects and that further questioning of the injured men was continuing.

Witnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire during the incident. One person at the scene told Reuters that the shots were loud and appeared to continue for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Videos shared on social media appeared to show the moment when one armed suspect was shot by police and collapsed in the street.

Security response and investigation

Footage circulating online also showed a heavy police presence around the consulate building after the attack, with the surrounding area sealed off for several hours while security forces carried out searches.

Governor Gul confirmed that no Israeli diplomatic staff were present in the building at the time.

The consulate has not been staffed for more than two years amid strained relations between Turkey and Israel linked to the war in Gaza.

Turkey’s justice minister said prosecutors had opened a formal investigation into the incident as authorities continue to examine the suspects’ possible connections and motives.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 8 April 2026