A 30-year-old Palestinian businessman was killed when a masked assailant or assailants opened fire on a parked car, leaving two others injured, in the Kağıthane district of İstanbul late Sunday, the private DHA news agency reported.
The slain businessman, identified as Abdulkadir Anas, was sitting in the driver’s seat when the attack took place.
One of the injured was Anas’s friend F.M., also a Palestinian businessman, while the other has been identified as A.K.’s bodyguard, E.K, according to a statement from the İstanbul Governor’s Office.
F.M.’s injuries are reported to be serious.
The governor’s office said the assailants left a handgun fitted with a silencer behind when they fled the scene.
Ambulances and police were dispatched to the area, where a large-scale search has been launched to capture the assailants.
Sunday’s attack has led to claims about the possible involvement of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in the murder.
Scores of people are suspected of spying on Palestinians in Turkey for Mossad.
Turkish authorities have detained dozens of people suspected of planning kidnappings and engaging in espionage for Mossad, leading to the arrest of more than 65 suspects. These incidents have heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel since there were reports of Israel’s intention to target members of Palestinian militant group Hamas in Turkey.
Turkey, unlike many of its NATO allies, does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization and has warned of serious consequences if Israel targets Hamas members within its borders.
This series of arrests and the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza have further strained relations between Turkey and Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been vocal in his condemnation of Israeli actions and policies and has warned of severe repercussions if Israel targets Hamas members in Turkey.
Israel began pounding Gaza after Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented surprise attack in Israel on October 7 that claimed some 1,200 lives.
Israeli air and ground attacks in Gaza have resulted in at least 40,000 deaths since October 7 according to the local health ministry in addition to causing massive destruction in the enclave.