Istanbul [Turkey], April 7 (ANI): Gunfire erupted near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul’s Besiktas district on Tuesday, prompting an immediate security response.
According to Al Jazeera, citing local media reports, the area was quickly cordoned off as Turkish security forces responded to the presence of armed individuals near the diplomatic mission.
The situation escalated into a confrontation when law enforcement engaged the gunmen. CNN Turk, citing a statement from the Istanbul Police Department, said the suspects were “met with immediate security response” by officers at the scene.
Initial police reports indicated that three suspects were killed. However, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul later clarified that one assailant was killed and two others were injured. He also confirmed that two police officers sustained minor injuries during the exchange.
The incident triggered a heavy security deployment in the area. Following sustained gunfire, Turkish special forces were seen securing the perimeter.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek later announced on social media that a formal investigation had been launched into the gunfire near the Israeli consulate in the Besiktas district.
Despite the intensity of the incident, the diplomatic mission itself was reportedly unoccupied at the time. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the consulate, located on the seventh floor of a building, was not staffed during the attack.
The incident comes amid heightened global tensions. CNN reported that Israeli authorities have observed an “unprecedented surge” in attempted attacks against Israeli citizens and Jewish sites worldwide since the start of the Iran conflict.
In response, Israel’s National Security Council recently issued an elevated travel warning ahead of the Passover holiday, citing a significant rise in threats from Iran and its proxies.
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, an Israeli counterterrorism official told CNN, “We are experiencing a record number of attempts to harm Israelis and Jews around the world. Even the oldest veterans don’t recall such a scale.”
Security remains heightened in the Besiktas district as investigations continue. Turkish authorities are working to determine the identities and motives of those involved in the incident. (ANI)
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