The incident took place shortly before 12:40 local time (09:40 GMT), when a group of three attackers armed with long weapons attempted to forcibly enter the diplomatic office.
According to the official account by the governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, the shootout began when the security guards and police officers guarding the main entrance ordered the suspects to stop as they tried to enter the building. When the suspects refused to halt, an intense exchange of fire ensued, resulting in one of the attackers being killed, while the other two were injured and apprehended by security forces. The governor confirmed that two police officers were also injured during the intervention.
The attack has caused a significant impact, despite the Israeli headquarters in the Turkish economic capital having had minimal operational activity in the past two years. This virtual cessation of functions is due to the deteriorated diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel. However, the building still maintained active surveillance that allowed for the immediate interception of the criminals.
Immediately after the incident, the Turkish government announced the opening of a judicial investigation to clarify the exact motives behind the assault. Authorities are now working to determine if the use of long weapons indicates premeditation. For now, the area remains under strict police control as the necessary procedures continue to shed light on the event.