Skip to content

Türkiye launches investigation into death of 3 citizens in Israeli airstrike

Türkiye launches investigation into death of 3 citizens in Israeli airstrike Turkish citizens killed in Israel-Lebanon border. (IHA Photo)
By Newsroom
Feb 5, 2025 12:29 PM

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the deaths of three Turkish citizens who were killed in an Israeli airstrike while attempting to cross from Lebanon into Israel, officials announced.

Investigation opened by Ankara Prosecutor’s Office

In a statement, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a probe has been initiated into the incident, which resulted in the deaths of three Turkish nationals following an Israeli military airstrike.

“The bodies have been repatriated to Türkiye, and autopsy procedures are ongoing in the provinces where the individuals were registered. Once completed, the related reports will be forwarded to our office,” the statement read.

Authorities have also requested official documents from relevant provincial prosecutor’s offices, indicating that the legal process is ongoing.

Türkiye recently condemned an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday that killed three of its citizens who were attempting to illegally cross the border from Lebanon into Israel, according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

“It has been learned that the three Turkish citizens, with whom contact had been lost while attempting to cross illegally from Lebanon to Israel, lost their lives as a result of an Israeli airstrike in the region,” the ministry stated.

Regarding the Three Turkish Citizens Attempting to Cross Illegally from Lebanon to Israel https://t.co/C5L0Kez0EL pic.twitter.com/SY9rtMajtQ

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) January 29, 2025

“We condemn in the strongest terms this unlawful attack that resulted in the death of our citizens,” the ministry added, calling on Israel to “immediately end its aggressive policies that disregard human life and escalate tensions in our region.”

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on Nov. 26, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Repatriation and autopsy procedures underway

The bodies of the victims have been returned to Türkiye, where forensic teams are conducting autopsies as part of the investigation.

Officials are expected to review the circumstances of the airstrike and assess potential legal actions related to the deaths of the three Turkish citizens.

Last Updated:  Feb 5, 2025 12:29 PM