Two gunmen have killed 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi, in a terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Australian authorities declared the Sunday evening massacre an act of antisemitic terrorism.
The attackers – a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son – opened fire from a pedestrian bridge at approximately 6:47pm local time. Police shot the father dead at the scene. The son, identified as Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydney's south-west, sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized under police guard.
At least 40 people were transported to hospitals across Sydney, including four children. Two police officers are among the injured.
The Attack
The gunmen targeted families celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Archer Park, adjacent to Bondi Beach. Armed with semi-automatic firearms, they fired approximately 50 bullets into the crowd of around 1,000 people attending the "Chanukah by the Sea" festival.
Police later discovered several improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the deceased gunman. Bomb disposal specialists secured the scene.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated: «This attack was designed to target Sydney's Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.»
Hero's Intervention
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and father of two, charged at one of the gunmen and wrestled away his rifle. Footage shows al Ahmed tackling the attacker, seizing the weapon, and pointing it at the gunman before placing it against a tree to signal to police he was not a threat.
Al Ahmed sustained bullet wounds to his arm and hand, requiring surgery. He remains hospitalized.
Premier Minns called him «a genuine hero», stating: «There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.»
The Victims
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old British-born assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. The father of five, whose youngest child was born just two months earlier, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London.
Rabbi Schlanger's cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: «How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?»
Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine, also died in the attack. His wife Larisa recounted how he raised himself up to protect her, taking the fatal shot. The couple had celebrated Hanukkah at Bondi Beach for many years.
Australian Response
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as «an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation».
He emphasized: «An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.»
NSW Police Commissioner Malcolm Lanyon declared the incident a terrorist attack at 9:36pm. Police authorized special powers and launched Operation Shelter, deploying 328 officers to ensure a visible presence at Jewish places of worship across Sydney.
Authorities confirmed the deceased gunman had held a firearms license for ten years and possessed six registered weapons. The younger attacker was known to Australia's security agency ASIO, though not as an immediate threat.
International Condemnation
King Charles expressed being «appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack». In a statement to Australians, he said: «We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.»
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack «sickening», stating: «The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the CST on the policing of Chanukah events.»
Global Security Response
London's Metropolitan Police announced increased patrols around synagogues and Jewish community venues ahead of Hanukkah events. The force stated: «While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community.»
Greater Manchester Police confirmed similar measures across the region. Police forces in South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire also increased their visible presence in local Jewish communities.
A vigil attended by approximately 100 people was held outside Australia House in central London on Sunday night, organized by Stop the Hate UK.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Australian government, claiming its policies had fostered an environment of antisemitism. However, the focus of international leaders remained on solidarity with Australia's Jewish community and condemnation of the terrorist act.
The attack marks Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly three decades, occurring in a country known for some of the world's strictest gun laws following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
