Around 11 a.m. March 19, there was a loud explosion on Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu district in Istanbul. The attack claimed the lives of four people and a male suicide bomber, leaving over 30 injured. The latest news indicates that among the victims were two American-Israeli dual citizens, an Israeli and an Iranian; at least five tourists who were part of an Israeli culinary tour group of 14 were injured. Most of the other wounded were Turks and foreign tourists.

The Israeli government sent two planes to repatriate the bodies of the three dead Israelis and evacuated the five wounded to Israeli hospitals. Israel is now trying to determine, in cooperation with Turkish security officials, whether the Israeli tour group was targeted specifically or whether it was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Istiklal Street is the most popular street in the center of Istanbul. Since the 1850s, it has been an area where multiculturalism has flourished: non-Muslims of the Ottoman Empire, businessmen from all around the world as well as the embassies of the main European powers settled in the district, which is now an amazing collection of shops, art venues and pubs. It is a must-see for any tourist. It is also within walking distance to the old imperial city, the Galata Tower and several churches and mosques. The street has been closed off to cars, allowing pedestrians to enjoy a leisurely stroll and listen to street musicians, eat street food and shop. The street ends at Taksim Square, the focal point of political protests in Istanbul. Hence, the area is patrolled by riot police.

Since October, Turkey has been on heightened alert following the repeated bombings and protests in city centers — with a death toll surpassing that of a number of terror-wrecked cities such as Kabul.