The private DHA news agency reported that a masked assailant or assailants opened fire on a parked car in the Kağıthane district of İstanbul late Sunday, resulting in the death of a 30-year-old Palestinian merchant and the injury of two others.
The businessman who was killed, identified solely by his initials A.K., was in the driver’s seat at the time of the attack.
According to a statement from the İstanbul Governor’s Office, one of the injured was A.K.’s acquaintance F.M., who is also a Palestinian businessman. The other identified individual is A.K.’s bodyguard, E.K.
According to reports, F.M. sustained severe injuries.
According to the governor’s office, the perpetrators abandoned a handgun that was equipped with a silencer as they escaped the location.
Police and ambulances were dispatched to the region, where a comprehensive search has been initiated to apprehend the perpetrators.
The potential involvement of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in the assassination has been suggested as a result of the attack that occurred on Sunday.
Mossad is suspected of employing numerous individuals to conduct surveillance operations against Palestinians in Turkey.
The Turkish authorities have apprehended over 65 individuals who are suspected of engaging in espionage for Mossad and planning kidnappings. The tensions between Turkey and Israel have been exacerbated by these incidents, as there have been allegations that Israel intends to target members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Turkey.
Turkey, in contrast to numerous NATO allies, does not regard Hamas as a terrorist organization and has issued dire warnings regarding the potential repercussions of Israel’s targeting of Hamas members within its borders.
Turkey’s relations with Israel have been further strained by the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and the series of arrests. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, has been vocal in his condemnation of Israeli actions and policies. He has also issued a warning of severe repercussions if Israel targets Hamas members in Turkey.
Following an unprecedented surprise attack in Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, Israel initiated a bombardment of Gaza that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.
According to the local health ministry, Israeli air and ground attacks in Gaza have caused significant devastation in the enclave and resulted in at least 40,000 deaths since October 7.
