Israeli teen dead, friend shot, in Turk terror

ANT KATZ

The New Year’s Eve shooting attack at the international Reina nightclub in Istanbul killed at least 39 and wounded at least 65, four of whom are in critical condition, according to Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdağ.

“Our police have launched the necessary operations,” said Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu. “God willing, he will be apprehended soon.”

RIGHT: Israeli terror victim Lian Zaher Nassar, the name of her friend, shot twice in the legs, has not yet been released

Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin said that the attacker had dressed in a Santa Claus costume, killed a police officer and a civilian at the entrance to the nightclub before gunning down scores of others.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin extended his condolences. “This is a complex and turbulent time for the State of Israel, but not only for the State of Israel,” he declared. “Last night, Turkey endured yet another terror attack. I send from here my sympathies and wishes for better days, to the families who have lost their sons and daughters, and to the Turkish people after another disaster which has befallen them.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined countless other foreign leaders in condemning the act of terror and wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured victims. “The fight against terror is a global struggle,” Netanyahu said at the weekly cabinet meeting today.

“Of course, this terror continues to strike.”

“We saw over the weekend, just yesterday, another deadly attack in Turkey,” he said. “We send condolences to the families of those who were murdered and best wishes for recovery to the wounded, who, to our regret, include an Israeli citizen.”

25,000 police were on duty

In light of a number of terror attacks throughout Turkey last year, as many as 25,000 police officers were on duty throughout Istanbul on Saturday night as a precaution. Earlier on Saturday, eight people affiliated with the Islamic State were detained in the Turkish capital of Ankara on suspicion of planning an attack on New Year’s Eve celebrations.