3 gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul, dubbed 'terrorists' by Turkish official

close Video State Department raises travel advisory for southeast Turkey amid Iran conflict State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott discusses the Trump administration’s efforts to evacuate Americans from the Middle East, Democratic criticism of the Iran conflict and more on ‘America’s Newsroom.’ NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 3 Min A gunfight with police outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, left one attacker dead, two others injured and two police officers sustaining minor injuries. The armed attackers had ties to an activist group that "exploits religion," according to Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci on X. "The identities of the terrorists have been identified," he wrote in a post translated by X. "It has been determined that the individuals, who arrived in Istanbul by a rental vehicle from Izmit, include one with ties to an organization that exploits religion; and it has also been established that one of the two terrorists, who are brothers, has a drug record." 3 BROTHERS OF IRAQI DESCENT ARRESTED IN OSLO FOR 'TERROR BOMBING' OF US EMBASSY A plainclothes police officer holds a gun after gunfire was reported near the building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 7, 2026. (Murad Sezer/Reuters) U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack condemned the attack and praised Turkish authorities. "The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s attack on the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul," Barrack wrote on X. "Attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order — and an assault on the principles that bind nations together. We commend Türkiye and Turkish security forces for their swift and decisive response." BELGIUM DEPLOYS MILITARY TO PROTECT JEWISH SITES AFTER ANTISEMITIC SYNAGOGUE EXPLOSION Police officers pulled out guns and took cover as shots rang out for at least 10 minutes near a permanent security checkpoint near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. One person was seen covered in blood amid the glass towers in the heart of the city's main financial district. Footage obtained by Reuters showed an apparent attacker, in a dark top and carrying a backpack, moving among parked white police and security buses and firing with an automatic rifle and a handgun. Two bodies lay on nearby streets and parking areas, near grassy areas. Turkish Police special forces stand guard near the Israeli Consulate building in Istanbul, Turkey, after gunfire was reported on April 7, 2026. (Umit Bektas/Reuters) PROTESTERS STORM US CONSULATE IN PAKISTAN, AT LEAST 9 DEAD Two police officers were lightly wounded in the attack, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene. He said there had been no Israeli diplomatic staff at the consulate for 2-1/2 years, since the Hamas-Israel war began in 2023, leading to a deep chill in Turkish-Israeli diplomatic ties. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed there were no staff at the consulate at the time of the shootings. NEW TERROR GROUP WITH REPORTED IRAN TIES CLAIMS 4 ATTACKS ACROSS EUROPE The incident occurred next to a major motorway just after midday, immediately outside the tower where the Israeli Consulate is located. The gunfire echoed inside nearby bank headquarters, where thousands of workers were breaking for lunch. Turkey, a fierce critic of Israel's military operations in Gaza, had recalled its ambassador from Israel in November 2023 and diplomatic relations have been effectively frozen since then. Turkish Police special forces walk near the building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, after gunfire was heard on April 7, 2026. (Murad Sezer/Reuters) At the same time that year, Israeli diplomats left Turkey due to security concerns after pro-Palestinian protests erupted across the country and in front of the consulate. Since then, a heavily armed police presence has been maintained in the area near the consulate. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Eric Mack is a writer for Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!