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Israel consulate in Istanbul attacked; 1 shooter dead, 2 injured in gunfight with cops
Shots were fired by unidentified assailants outside Israel's consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. Two shooters were dead and cops were injured in the incident.
A gunfight broke out outside the Israel consulate in Turkey's Istanbul on Tuesday, leaving two policemen injured and at least one of the three attackers that opened fire dead, according to reports.
The number of attackers killed conflicted across reports initially but later local governor confirmed that one of the two shooters were dead and the others were injured. Two police officers were lightly wounded in the attack, Istanbul governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene, according to Reuters and other news agencies.
Police officers pulled out guns and took cover as shots reportedly were fired for at least 10 minutes near a permanent security checkpoint.
Footage obtained by Reuters showed an apparent attacker, in a dark top and carrying a backpack, moving amid parked white police and security buses and firing, with an automatic rifle and a handgun.
Gunfight caught on cam
Initial visuals shared by Reuters showed a police officer pulling out a gun and taking cover as gunshots resounded. One person was seen covered in blood.
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Another video, purportedly of the scene, also captured gunfire-like sounds and people screaming in the backdrop.
A separate video surfaced moments later purportedly showing police fire downing one of the shooters.
(The below video contains sensitive content that may disturb some. Viewer discretion is advised)
The Israeli consulate in Istanbul is generally surrounded by heavy security.
Istanbul governor said the attackers used rifles and guns to carry out attack at Israeli consulate. There was no immediate information on the identity of the attackers or their motive.
Turkey's justice minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation has been launched, Associated Press reported, citing Haberturk. The consulate reportedly occupies one or two floors inside the high-rise building.
No Israeli diplomat "is currently in Turkish territory", a source close to the case told AFP news agency.
The shooting comes amid Israeli-US missile and drone exchange with Iran that has rattled the entire Gulf region and sent ripple affects across the world through the impact on energy supplies.
US-Israeli strikes on February 28 on Iran sparked the full-fledged war which US President Donald Trump now wants to end and has given the Iranians a deadline of “Tuesday 8 PM Eastern Time” to do so.
Turkish interior minister Mustafa Cifti wrote on X that the attackers had traveled to Istanbul from the neighboring city of Izmit in a rented car. One of the assailants was linked to a group he described as “exploiting religion,” without naming the organisation, he said.
