In a recent incident at a factory owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in northwest Turkey, two gunmen took seven employees hostage. The incident apparently occurred in protest of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The suspects entered the main building of the facility in Gebze, Kocaeli province, and sealed off surrounding roads. They demanded attention to the loss of life in the Palestinian enclave, highlighting the high casualty count resulting from Israel's military operation.
The local media released an image of one of the suspects within the factory. The photo shows a man wearing what seems to be a homemade explosives belt, accompanied by a handgun. Ismet Zihni, the husband of one of the hostages, revealed that he had spoken to his wife, Suheyla, who confirmed their situation as hostages. Zihni mentioned that she said they were fine before hanging up.
Law enforcement authorities swiftly responded to the incident, and negotiations with the hostage-takers commenced. The primary concern for the authorities is the safety of the hostages and resolving the situation peacefully. P&G's head office in Cincinnati confirmed the ongoing incident and assured that they are cooperating with local authorities to ensure the security of their people and partners.
P&G Turkey is a significant employer, with 700 individuals working at three sites in Istanbul and Kocaeli. The company is renowned for producing various cleaning and hygiene brands, such as Ariel washing powder and Oral B toothpaste.
Turkey has witnessed a surge in public sentiment against Israel and the United States since the conflict in Gaza began. The population has actively participated in demonstrations held in major cities, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Calls for an immediate cease-fire have also become more prevalent. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has been particularly vocal, denouncing Israeli 'war crimes' and drawing comparisons between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has previously issued a warning about demonstrations critical of U.S. foreign policy, as well as calls for boycotts of U.S. businesses. The conflict in Gaza has led to protests and even attacks on prominent American fast-food chains, such as McDonald's and Starbucks.
The Turkish media published a photograph of the suspect, showing him with a black-and-white Arabic headscarf covering his face. Standing beside a graffitied wall displaying the Turkish and Palestinian flags, the suspect is seen next to the slogan 'The gates will open. Either musalla or death for Gaza.' The word 'musalla' refers to an open prayer area typically used for funeral rites.
In an unexpected turn of events, DHA, the news agency, also released a picture of some of the hostages within the factory, celebrating a staff member's birthday. According to reports, the hostage-takers permitted the employees to enjoy the occasion, allowing them to bring a cake into work.
The incident is a cause for concern for both P&G and the Turkish authorities. Efforts are underway to secure the release of the hostages and bring a peaceful resolution to the situation.
