The horrific terror attack on Australia’s renowned Bondi Beach has resulted in at least 15 fatalities and 40 injuries. The attack, which lasted over 10 minutes, targeted a family-friendly Hanukkah event, Chanukah by the Sea 2025. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, a respected rabbi, and an elderly Holocaust survivor.
The two assailants, armed with a shotgun and a bolt-action rifle, fired rounds from a bridge overlooking the event. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah. Jewish leaders had previously warned the left-wing government about the escalating antisemitism in the country, which has a population of 27.5 million.
One of the attackers, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, is in critical condition after being shot by the police. The other assailant, aged 50, was killed at the scene. The attack took place despite the presence of police officers nearby, leading to criticism from survivors.
A local fruit seller and father of two, Ahmed al-Ahmed, was hailed as a hero for disarming one of the shooters. Al-Ahmed was shot twice during his act of bravery and is currently awaiting surgery. Footage of his heroic act, which shows him tackling one of the gunmen and seizing his weapon, has been widely shared on social media.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the acts of courage and bravery displayed by individuals in the community. He emphasized that amidst the evil and sadness, there were still brave Australians willing to risk their lives to help strangers.
The attack was swiftly declared an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community. The beach had been crowded with around 1,000 people gathered for the Hanukkah celebration. The gunmen had positioned themselves on a pedestrian bridge overlooking Bondi Park and the surrounding area, where the festive celebration was taking place.
One of the suspected gunmen was killed at the scene, while the other was taken into custody in critical condition. The police later raided Akram’s house. It was revealed that one of the gunmen was on Australia’s Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) watchlist but was not considered an immediate threat.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as a dark moment for the nation. He emphasized that an attack on Jewish Australians was an attack on all Australians. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also denounced the attack as a cruel act against Jews.
The incident has sparked outrage among Australia’s Jewish community, which numbers around 117,000, nearly 50,000 of whom reside in and around Sydney. They view the attack as preventable and a result of rising antisemitism over the past two years.