Police in Istanbul have launched a major investigation following a shooting that resulted in the death of a Palestinian man and injuries to two others on Sunday night. The incident occurred as the victims were seated in a car on Dilaver Street in the Kagithane district of northern Istanbul.
According to the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the shooter left behind a handgun fitted with a silencer at the scene. The Demiroren News Agency reported that the victim sitting in the driver’s seat was killed, while his friend sustained serious injuries. Another individual, identified by the governor’s office as the deceased man’s bodyguard, was injured in the foot.
The identities of the victims have not been publicly disclosed beyond their initials. The professional nature of the attack has led to speculation in Turkish media about possible links to Israel or business-related disputes. Turkey has long been a refuge for Hamas officials, and in December, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency indicated that his organization was prepared to target Hamas operatives anywhere, including Turkey.
The shooting was reportedly carried out by a masked assailant or assailants, according to the Demiroren News Agency. The seriously wounded victim has been described as a businessman.
Photographs from the scene reveal a semi-automatic handgun with a silencer lying on the sidewalk beside a white car, which was parked between two other vehicles. The rear passenger door of the car appeared to have multiple bullet holes.
Video footage released by Demiroren News Agency shows police forensic teams examining the scene and using laser pens to track the trajectory of the bullets. The footage also captured the transfer of a body from the car to an ambulance.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the shooting and identify the perpetrators.
