Reports of a hostage situation at a P&G plant in Turkey to protest the Gaza war

Police blocked the street in front of the Procter & Gambling complex near Istanbul Photo: OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Two armed men took seven hostages at a factory in northwestern Turkey owned by the US company Procter & Gamble on Thursday, according to media reports, apparently to protest the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Turkish media published an image of one of the alleged suspects at the factory, a man dressed in what appeared to be rudimentary clothing an explosive belt and a pistol in their hands.

Private news agency DHA reported that the suspects entered the main building of the facility in Gebze, Kocaeli province, around 15:00 local time (1200 GMT) and took seven employees are taken hostage.

The statement claimed they acted to draw attention to the deaths in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli invasion.

Ismet Zihni said his wife Suheila was among the hostages. Speaking near the factory, he told DHA that he had called her. «She replied, 'We've been taken hostage, we're fine,' and hung up,» he said.

Police blocked roads around the factory and reportedly tried to negotiate with the hostage takers.

P&G headquarters in Cincinnati confirmed the ongoing incident. A company spokesperson said: “The safety of P&G employees and our partners is our top priority. Earlier today, we evacuated our facility in Gebze and are working with local authorities to resolve the immediate security situation.»

It is reported that the police are trying to negotiate with the hostage takers. Photo: OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

P&G Turkey employs 700 people at three sites in Istanbul and Kocaeli, according to the company's website. It produces cleaning and hygiene brands such as Ariel laundry detergent and Oral B toothpaste.

Public sentiment against Israel and its main ally the US has increased in Turkey since the conflict began, with regular protests in support of Palestinian people in large areas cities and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been particularly outspoken, speaking about Israel's «war crimes» and comparing the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

The US Embassy in Ankara released a statement. warning in November of demonstrations that were “critical of U.S. foreign policy” and calling for boycotts of American businesses. The advice follows protests and attacks on establishments such as McDonald's and Starbucks over the conflict in Gaza.

A photograph of the suspect published in Turkish media shows him wearing a black and white Arabic headscarf covering the face. . He stands next to a painted wall depicting Turkish and Palestinian flags with the slogan «The gates will open.» It’s either Musalla or Gaze’s death.” A musallah is an open prayer area for Muslims, usually used for funeral rites.

DHA also released a photograph of some of the hostages celebrating a birthday. It was reported that employees brought a cake to work for one of their colleagues, and the hostage takers allowed them to celebrate.