An armed man was killed and two others wounded during a shootout with Turkish police near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. The attackers arrived by car carrying pistols and long-range rifles, according to Istanbul's provincial governor Davut Gul. The clash occurred around lunchtime in the Levent neighborhood's business district, next to a major highway.

Two police officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire outside the commercial tower housing the consulate. Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci identified the attackers as Islamist extremists, with the deceased linked to an unnamed extremist organization. The two surviving suspects, described as brothers, are being interrogated by authorities. No diplomats were present at the consulate during the attack.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Turkey and Israel, which have deteriorated significantly in recent years. Turkish officials have repeatedly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, with President Erdogan comparing Prime Minister Netanyahu to Hitler. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have accused Turkey of supporting Hamas and destabilizing the region. The attack comes amid broader regional instability and follows Turkey's recent decision to cut all trade with Israel, including barring Israeli ships from Turkish ports.