Three Killed and Two Officers Injured in Shooting Near Israeli Consulate in Istanbul

Three people were killed and two police officers injured in a gunfire incident near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. The event occurred in the Besiktas district, where the consulate building is located. Turkish media reported the involvement of multiple gunmen in the shooting.

One gunman was killed at the scene, while two others were injured. The incident took place outside the consulate building, and it remains unclear whether the consulate was the specific target. Police responded quickly, engaging the gunmen in an exchange of fire.

No Israeli diplomats were present in Turkey at the time of the incident. The Istanbul consulate has been empty for the past two-and-a-half years. Turkish authorities have not released further details on the identities of the deceased or the motive behind the attack.

The shooting involved three individuals who opened fire near the consulate.

According to Al Jazeera, citing Turkish media, the gunfire erupted on a street adjacent to the building. The Jerusalem Post reported that several gunmen were involved, with the exact number unspecified. Two police officers sustained injuries during the response but their conditions were not detailed in initial reports.

BBC News confirmed that one gunman was killed and two injured, aligning with accounts from other sources. The area was secured by security forces following the event.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, though no direct connection was established in reports.

Turkish officials have initiated an investigation into the shooting. The consulate's closure since approximately mid-2022 means no staff were at risk. Eyewitness accounts described hearing multiple shots, but no further specifics on the sequence of events were provided.