Procter & Gamble Factory in Turkey Targeted by Gunmen in Gaza Protest

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a startling incident that unfolded at a Procter & Gamble factory in Turkey, two gunmen stormed the Gebze plant, holding seven workers hostage for several hours in protest over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as was reported by The New York Post. The assailants, who have yet to be identified, reportedly targeted the facility’s cleaning and personal care unit.

The harrowing incident took place on Thursday at around 2:20 p.m. local time, with the suspects entering the main building of the Gebze plant. Turkey’s DHA news agency reported that one of the gunmen was seen wearing what appeared to be a rudimentary “explosives belt,” according to information provided in The Post report.  The hostages were held at gunpoint while the rest of the employees managed to flee the premises.

Security forces swiftly intervened, successfully raiding the building and freeing the hostages unharmed. The intervention occurred when one of the gunmen went to the bathroom, providing an opportunity for the authorities to act, according to local governor Seddar Yavuz and reported on by the Post. Both assailants have since been detained.

Procter & Gamble, a US-based multinational corporation, acknowledged the incident in a statement, emphasizing the evacuation of the Gebze facility and cooperation with local authorities to address the security situation, as was noted in the Post report. The company stressed that the safety of its employees and partners remains the top priority.

“Earlier today, we evacuated our Gebze facility and are working with local authorities to resolve an urgent security situation,” US-based Procter & Gamble said in a statement. “The safety of P&G people and our partners is our top priority.”

Unverified videos circulating on social media depict the alleged gunman spray-painting his support for “Palestine” on the factory walls while concealing his face. The Post also reported that the graffiti reads, “The gates will open. Either musalla or death for Gaza.” A musalla refers to an open prayer for Muslims, often associated with funeral rites.

Local resident Ismet Zihni shared a tense account of the situation, revealing that his wife, Suheyla, was among the hostages, according to the report in the Post. Zihni recounted receiving a call during the incident, where his wife assured him that they were okay. “She answered, ‘We’ve been taken hostage, we’re fine,’ and she hung up,” he said.

Reports suggest that some of the hostages were celebrating a co-worker’s birthday when the gunmen struck. The incident prompted a rapid response from special forces, police, and first responders.

Procter & Gamble, headquartered in Cincinnati, operates three sites in Istanbul and Kocaeli, employing approximately 700 people. As mentioned in the Post report, the Gebze plant, where the incident occurred, plays a crucial role in the production of cleaning and hygiene products for well-known brands such as Gillette and Oral-B. The Turkish facilities serve as a hub for operations in eight countries, according to the company. The motive behind the attack appears to be linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, underscoring the global impact of geopolitical events on corporate operations.