Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has released a statement about today’s (Saturday) attack in Istanbul, in which three Israelis were killed and another 11 wounded.

Speaking from the Foreign Ministry’s situation room, Netanyahu said, “During the day I received updates about what happened in Istanbul. We can say with certainty that, sadly, two Israeli citizens were killed. It could be that there is a third victim. The two families have been updated; I send them condolences on behalf of the entire Jewish people.

“There are approximately eleven people who were wounded, the degree of their injuries varies, and we are dealing with them. I directed the dispatch of two planes – one from MDA and one from the IDF – in order to bring them, and the deceased, of course, back to Israel.

“We are in contact with the Turkish authorities. I asked that our presence be increased. This evening there will be approximately 15 of our representatives in Istanbul; the Foreign Ministry Director General is on his way there. We are in contact with the Turkish government. The Foreign Ministry Director General spoke with his Turkish counterpart and, naturally, we are trying to clarify things in the intelligence sphere. We currently have no confirmation that this terrorist incident was directed at Israelis.

“We know that there are those who have yet to make contact; we are trying to locate them. At the moment it does not seem that they were part of this event but things will certainly become clearer later on. Foreign Ministry personnel, including those here in the situation room, are working constantly and will work around the clock in order to bring the people back to Israel and in order to give full support at this difficult time. I am certain that all Israelis join me in the hope for recovery for the wounded and in expressing condolences to the families of those who were murdered.”

He added that he has not spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but is aware of the disturbing tweet by a member of Erdoğan’s party. “I demanded that the tweet be removed and it was removed.”

In response to reporters’ questions, Netanyahu said that the counter-terrorism bureau will increase its travel warning for Turkey tomorrow.

President Reuven Rivlin also commented on the attack, saying: “The heart aches for the victims who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist bombing in the heart of Istanbul. We send our condolences to the families in mourning, pray for the well-being of the injured and hope for their swift return to Israel.

“More and more innocent people are losing their lives in the shadow of the insatiable terrorism and extremism which plagues the world.

“May the hands of the search and rescue teams be strengthened, along with the representatives of the Foreign Ministry in Israel and in Turkey, in their efforts to bring relief and information to the worried families.”