Palestinian businessman killed in Istanbul with silenced weapon: 'Mossad' suspected in assassination

In the Hamidiye neighborhood of Istanbul's Kağıthane district, on Dilaver Street, an unidentified individual carried out an attack with a silenced weapon on a parked car with license plate 34 FDN 313, which contained Palestinian businessman A.K., his friend F.M., and his bodyguard E.K.

In the attack, 30-year-old Palestinian businessman A.K., who was sitting in the driver's seat, lost his life at the scene, while his friend, identified as Palestinian national F.M., and A.K.'s bodyguard E.K. were injured. The suspect who carried out the armed attack on the Palestinian businessman fled the scene after the attack.

Upon notification, police and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. Police teams arriving at the scene took extensive security measures in the surrounding area, while medical teams took the injured F.M. and E.K. into an ambulance to provide intervention. After the initial intervention, the injured were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

It was learned that the condition of F.M., of Palestinian origin, who was taken to the hospital, is critical, while A.K.'s bodyguard E.K. was wounded in the leg and is in good condition. Crime scene investigation teams conducted a long examination of the area and the vehicle following the attack, in which dozens of bullets were fired.

During the examinations, a pistol equipped with a silencer and numerous empty shell casings were found at the scene. Following the investigations, A.K.'s lifeless body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute Morgue.

STATEMENT FROM THE ISTANBUL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

The statement read: "As a result of the armed attack that occurred in our Kağıthane district on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at approximately 22:30, a foreign national named A.K. (born 1994) lost his life, and the individual's friend, a foreign national named F.M., was seriously injured. A.K.'s security guard, E.K., was also injured in the leg during the attack. During the examination at the scene, a pistol equipped with a silencer, which is thought to have been used in the attack, and numerous empty shell casings were found. The treatment of the 2 people injured in the attack continues at the hospital where they were taken. A large-scale investigation has been launched to capture the perpetrator of the incident."

MOSSAD SPECULATION REGARDING THE ATTACK

Comments on social media regarding the assassination in Kağıthane mentioning MOSSAD drew attention. In a post, UK R REPORT claimed that the weapon used in the assassination is a type typically associated with Mossad assassinations.

Asia Press Turkey Editor-in-Chief Mustafa Kılıç also made a post corroborating this claim, stating: "The fact that the individuals were Palestinian and a silenced weapon was used brings to mind the question: Is this a MOSSAD assassination? According to some sources, the individuals are Palestinian citizens of Israel holding Israeli passports. The latest information I have received regarding the attack in Kağıthane is that the deceased is a businessman thought to have links to HAMAS. One of the injured is his bodyguard."

News Source: İHA