07.04.2026 14:01
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced that one of the three terrorists who engaged in an armed conflict with police in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul and was neutralized has connections to an "organization that exploits religion."
One terrorist was killed and two terrorists were neutralized with injuries in the conflict that broke out in front of the building where the Israeli Consulate is located in Beşiktaş. It was learned that two police officers were also lightly injured in the conflict.
THE CONFLICT LASTED 10 MINUTES
It was stated that the terrorists wore tactical camouflage clothing, carried backpacks, and arrived in the area with long-barreled weapons, and that the conflict lasted approximately 10 minutes.
ORGANIZATION WITH RELIGIOUS EXPLOITATION CONNECTION
Minister Çiftçi, in a statement on social media regarding the conflict in front of the Israeli Consulate, said, "Three individuals who engaged in an armed conflict with our police officers on duty in front of Yapı Kredi Plaza Blocks have been neutralized. Two of our heroic police officers were lightly injured. The identities of the terrorists have been identified. It has been determined that one of the individuals who came to Istanbul from Izmit in a rented vehicle has a connection to an organization that exploits religion, and it has been established that one of the two terrorists, who are siblings, has a drug record," he stated.
GOVERNOR GÜL: A PROVOCATIVE MOVE
İstanbul Governor Gül described the conflict as "a provocative move." Pointing out that there are businesses in the area, Gül said, "There is a consulate in the back, and there has been no activity for about 2.5 years. There are no diplomatic staff present. We are investigating the incident that occurred in front of Yapı Kredi. One attacker was killed. Two attackers were captured injured." he stated.
THOUGHT TO BE ISIS
It is believed that the organization referred to by Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi as "the organization that exploits religion" is ISIS.