At least 11 people were killed and 29 others injured in an attack which targeted a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Footage has emerged showing two masked gunmen getting out of a car and opening fire on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach at around 6:40 p.m. local time.
Both of the perpetrators were shot by New South Wales police, with one dead—while the other remains in hospital in critical condition. At least 29 people were injured, including a child and two police officers, as well as the surviving attacker. Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of a third suspect. Police said they found an improvised explosive device in a nearby car that was electronically “linked” to one of the terrorists.
A bystander helped save lives during the deadly attack on the beach after wresting a weapon from one of the terrorists, forcing him to flee with his own firearm trained on him. Identified by local outlet 7News as 43-year-old fruit seller Ahmed al Ahmed, the have-a-go hero reportedly suffered two gunshot wounds, and is now being treated in hospital.
Authorities later designated the shooting as a terrorist attack against the local Jewish community. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as an “evil act of anti-Semitism and terrorism” during a press conference.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the violence and accused Canberra of allowing antisemitism to spread. Australia’s National Imams Council likewise condemned the horrific shooting, as did Iran. World leaders have since expressed their condolences.
The attack came amid heightened tensions following the October 7 Hamas-led pogrom against Israelis and a subsequent series of antisemitic incidents across Australia since late 2023.
Sunday’s shooting also fell on the 11th anniversary of the Lindt Café siege in Sydney, in which a lone gunman took 18 hostages, leaving two captives and the attacker dead after a 16-hour standoff. The attack has shocked Australia where—despite recent mass casualty attacks involving blades—gun violence outside of the criminal fraternity remains uncommon.
