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Australian state leaders agreed to stricter national gun laws during an emergency meeting of the national cabinet on Monday, in the wake of the worst terror attacks in the country's history.

The terror attack at Bondi Beach during the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Sunday left at least 16 dead. It was the deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur incident which prompted the Australian government to introduce some of the toughest gun control laws in the world. “This is different from Port Arthur,” Anthony Albanese, the Australia Prime Minister, said. “Port Arthur was someone engaged in random violence against people. This was targeted.”

The new laws would see gun owners face limits on how many firearms they can hold, with licenses restricted to Australian citizens. Premiers and chief ministers have also agreed to fast-track the establishment of a national firearms register. New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, said state parliament would be recalled as soon as possible to introduce the news laws, telling reporters, "I’m determined to introduce the toughest gun legislation in the country and I believe it needs to be passed and put into legislation as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Bondi Beach hero, who took down one of the suspects during Sunday's deadly attack, said he has no regrets despite receiving serious injuries including multiple gunshot wounds to his shoulder and arm. “He said he’d do it again,” al-Ahmed's layer Sam Issa said Monday after speaking to his client in hospital.

What To Know

• At least 16 people, including one suspect, were killed in the mass shooting at the Hanukkah by the Sea event at Australia's busy Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday.
• Father Sajid Akram, aged 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, have been identified as the suspects.
• 38 people remain in hospital on Monday. They include al-Ahmed who may lose an arm after his brave actions yesterday.
• The victims are aged 10 to 87 years old.
• The shooting targeted people celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at the beach on Sunday evening local time.
• Police have called the event a "terrorism incident".
• Video footage showed two men wielding firearms close to the beach. Multiple shots could be heard as sirens wailed in the background.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 06:14 PM EST

Latest on Bondi Beach attack

As Tuesday dawned in Sydney, authorities continued to release details from Sunday’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10‑year‑old girl named Matilda, a Holocaust survivor, two rabbis, and several foreign nationals.

Hospitals are treating at least 27 injured, among them a police officer in serious but stable condition and Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander praised as a “real‑life hero” for disarming one of the gunmen.

Australian media have identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, who was killed at the scene, and his 24‑year‑old son Naveed, now in custody. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the pair were not believed to be part of a wider cell, though they had been interviewed by security services in 2019.

Tributes have poured in globally, with mourners leaving flowers and candles near the site. Fundraising efforts for Ahmed have surged past the million‑dollar mark, while Pope Leo urged an end to antisemitic violence in a message shared on X.

Dec 15, 2025 at 05:59 PM EST

Rabbi calls Bondi Beach attack an ‘unimaginable nightmare’

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of Melbourne’s Ark Centre has described the targeted shooting at Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives on Sunday, as an “unimaginable nightmare situation” for Australia’s Jewish community.

Kaltmann, who had known Rabbi Eli Schlanger—the slain organizer of the “Chanukah by the Sea” event—for more than two decades, told CNN the community has been left “heartbroken” and “shattered.” He said the violence was particularly shocking given the setting: “None of us could believe that something like this could happen on the sun‑kissed shores of Australia in such an idyllic, beautiful, iconic place.”

The rabbi noted he personally knew several victims, including a close friend’s father‑in‑law, a former student, and another rabbi he had spoken with just weeks earlier. He emphasized the deep ties between Melbourne and Sydney’s Jewish communities and expressed hope for the recovery of those still hospitalized.

Dec 15, 2025 at 05:47 PM EST

Rabbi urges action after Sydney attack

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of Melbourne’s Ark Centre has called on Australian leaders to take the warnings from Jewish citizens following Sunday’s fatal attack on Sydney’s Jewish community seriously. Speaking to CNN, Kaltmann said many Jews no longer feel safe in schools, synagogues, or even wearing visible symbols of their faith in public.

He warned that dismissing these concerns as “hysteria” or “hyperbole” has left communities vulnerable, noting that alarms have been raised for two years amid a global surge in antisemitic violence.

Kaltmann pointed to recent incidents in the United States, including a man setting Jewish worshippers on fire in Colorado, the killing of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C., and an arson attack on Pennsylvania’s governor’s mansion tied to his views on Gaza.

Reflecting on Jewish history, Kaltmann said many in Australia are descendants of Holocaust survivors or refugees from antisemitic persecution. “That sense of safety has shattered,” he said.

Dec 15, 2025 at 05:30 PM EST

Fundraiser tops $1.05 million for Bondi Beach hero

A fundraiser for Ahmed al Ahmed, hailed as the “hero” who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen, has surpassed A$1 million. The GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than A$1.59 million (US$1.05 million; £792,000), with donations continuing to climb.

Among the contributions was a $99,999 gift from a U.S. billionaire, the maximum amount permitted by the platform.

Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, was caught up in the attack by chance after going out for coffee with a friend. His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, said his son acted out of “sentiment, conscious and humanity.”

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who visited Ahmed in hospital, praised him as a “real‑life hero” for his bravery in tackling the gunman and seizing the weapon.

Dec 15, 2025 at 05:19 PM EST

Bondi terror attack puts Zohran Mamdani in tough spot

New York City Democratic Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny over his past refusal to condemn the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada” following a deadly attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney.

In a statement released hours after the shooting, Mamdani condemned the violence. “The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror,” he said. “I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers. May the memories of all those killed be a blessing.”

But Mamdani’s critics seized on the moment, pointing to his refusal to condemn the controversial phrase during his mayoral campaign.

Newsweek reached out to Mamdani’s team for comment on Monday.

Read in full: Bondi Terror Attack Puts Zohran Mamdani in Tough Spot

Dec 15, 2025 at 04:18 PM EST

Hanukkah vigil in London marks Bondi Beach victims

Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square, London, on Monday night for a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony dedicated to the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. Organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism and Chabad, the event marked the festival’s second night but carried a tone of defiance rather than celebration.

The candles were lit by the nephew of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a UK‑born victim of the attack. Speakers urged stronger action against antisemitism, warning that words alone were insufficient.

Public health minister Ashley Dalton, who addressed the crowd, was met with boos and shouts of “shame” and “stop the marches,” reflecting frustration over pro‑Palestinian demonstrations that some believe have fueled hostility toward Jews.

Dec 15, 2025 at 04:01 PM EST

How many people died in the Australia shooting?

At least 16 people, including one suspect, were killed in the mass shooting at the Hanukkah by the Sea event at Australia's busy Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday.

Another 38 people remain in hospital on Monday. They include Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed who may lose an arm after his brave actions yesterday.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:42 PM EST

What was the motive in the Bondi Beach shooting?

Australian authorities have described the Bondi Beach shooting as a result of extremist, antisemitic ideology.

The alleged gunmen, a father and son, targeted a large gathering of Jewish people attending a Chanukah by the Sea event on the first day of Hanukkah.

New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, stated the attack was "designed to target Sydney's Jewish community".

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an "act of evil antisemitism and terrorism".

ISIS flags were later discovered in the car of the suspects Sajid Akram, aged 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:21 PM EST

‘Pandemonium and chaos’ say Bondi Beach witnesses

One of the attendees of the Bondi Beach Chanukah by the Sea celebration, named only as Barry by the BBC, described the terrifying scenes on Sunday as two suspects opened fire.

Barry said that he saw multiple people shot as hundreds of people fled the beach, and ran through the park to escape the attack.

"It was pandemonium and chaos," he told the BBC.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:00 PM EST

Australian state leaders agree on tougher gun laws after Bondi attack

Australian state leaders agreed to stricter national gun laws during an emergency meeting of the national cabinet on Monday, in the wake of the worst terror attacks in the country's history.

The terror attack at Bondi Beach during the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Sunday left at least 16 dead. It was the deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur incident which prompted the Australian government to introduce some of the toughest gun control laws in the world. “This is different from Port Arthur,” Anthony Albanese, the Australia Prime Minister, said. “Port Arthur was someone engaged in random violence against people. This was targeted.”

The new laws would see gun owners face limits on how many firearms they can hold, with licenses restricted to Australian citizens. Premiers and chief ministers have also agreed to fast-track the establishment of a national firearms register. New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, said state parliament would be recalled as soon as possible to introduce the news laws, telling reporters, "I’m determined to introduce the toughest gun legislation in the country and I believe it needs to be passed and put into legislation as soon as possible."

Dec 15, 2025 at 02:40 PM EST

Family of Rabbi killed in Bondi Beach massacre says he was killed ‘because he was a Jew’

Rabbi Shalom Liberow said that his wife's cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was one of the 16 killed in the terror attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

"The reason why he was murdered was because he was a Jew," Liberow, from Manchester, England, told Sky News on Monday. "This is the hatred going on in this world today, trying to push away this light, but the light will extinguish the darkness."

Liberow said that he wanted to show support for the victims, because he knew his cousin "wouldn't want me to sit at home and mope."

Dec 15, 2025 at 02:18 PM EST

Australian opposition leader says ‘everything must change’

Australia's Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, said that "everything must change" on when it comes to antisemitism.

"Everything must change from today in how governments respond. Antisemitism is not a problem to be managed. It is an evil that must be confronted and eradicated," she said.

She also called for the government to implement "in full" a report on antisemitism from July.

Dec 15, 2025 at 01:58 PM EST

Mourners gather to pay tribute to Bondi Beach victims

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Bondi Beach on Monday to pay tribute to the victims of Sunday's massacre.

People left flowers, candles including a menorah, and Israeli flags near the scene of shooting that left 16 dead yesterday.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 01:38 PM EST

Bondi suspects claimed they were going on father-son fishing trip when they allegedly carried out terror attack, says relative

The mother of Bondi Beach suspect Naveed Akram, 24, said that he told her he was going on a father-son fishing trip to Jersey Bay, when he and his father allegedly opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday.

Verena said she had spoken to her son just hours before the massacre.

“He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving," she said. "We’re going … to eat now, and then this morning, and we’re going to stay home now because it’s very hot.”

Verena added that her son tended to keep to himself, focusing on scuba diving, swimming and fishing.

Dec 15, 2025 at 01:19 PM EST

Bondi terror attack suspect Naveed Akram’s mom says he was a ‘good boy’

The mother of Bondi Beach suspect Naveed Akram, 24, has insisted her son was a "good boy" after he and his father allegedly opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday. At least 16 people were killed in the attack.

Akram's mother Verena told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was in shock her son could be connected with the terror attack.

“He doesn’t have a firearm. He doesn’t even go out. He doesn’t mix around with friends. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go to bad places…he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and that’s it," she said.

"Anyone would wish to have a son like my son…he’s a good boy.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 01:07 PM EST

Antisemitic incidents in Australia remain at historic highs

Australia lacks a centralized system for tracking hate crimes, leaving states and territories to define and respond individually. To fill the gap, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has published annual reports since 1990 documenting antisemitic incidents nationwide.

The latest figures show a sharp rise in recent years, with incidents peaking at 2,062 between October 2023 and September 2024. While the following year saw a slight decline to 1,652, the number remains more than three times higher than any annual count before the Israel‑Hamas war in Gaza.

The ECAJ report categorizes incidents ranging from verbal and physical abuse to vandalism, graffiti, threatening letters, and online harassment. For the year ending September 2025, verbal abuse and public messaging such as graffiti, posters, and stickers were the most common forms of antisemitic activity.

Advocates warn that under‑reporting means the true scale of antisemitism in Australia is likely even greater.

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM EST

Rabbi remembers Bondi victim Eli Schlanger

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak of London has paid tribute to Eli Schlanger, one of the victims of Saturday’s Bondi Beach attack, recalling him as a man full of joy and compassion.

Speaking to the BBC, Sudak said he had known Schlanger and his family all his life, describing them as “vivacious” and committed to bringing out the best in others. He remembered Schlanger’s “bursting joy” and noted his dedication to volunteering, including work in prisons and care homes.

Sudak emphasized that the attack would not intimidate the Jewish community. “We’re not going to allow them to instill fear in us,” he said, vowing resilience in the face of tragedy.

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM EST

Sydney man denies false links to Bondi attack

A Pakistani man living in Sydney has publicly denied false claims linking him to the Bondi Beach shooting, after images of him were circulated online suggesting he was one of the attackers.

Naveed Akram, who shares the same name as one of the suspected gunmen, released a video through the Pakistan Consulate General in Sydney, urging people not to spread misinformation. “I have nothing to do with that incident or with that person. That is a different person, and I am completely outside of this matter,” he said.

Akram described the situation as “very serious,” adding that the false accusations had left him fearful and unable to leave his home safely. He appealed to the public to report any social media posts that wrongly identify him as the shooter.

Authorities continue to investigate the Bondi Beach attack, which left 15 people dead during a Hanukkah celebration.

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM EST

What we know about the Bondi Beach attack

More than 28 hours after two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, authorities continue to investigate the assault that left 15 people dead in what officials have described as a targeted attack on the Jewish community.

At 6:47 p.m. local time Sunday, Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24‑year‑old son Naveed began shooting into the crowd. Bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, tackled one of the gunmen and seized his weapon, forcing him to retreat. Sajid was killed at the scene, while Naveed was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Among the victims are 10‑year‑old Matilda, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, former police officer Dan Elkayam, and Slovakian national Marika.

Police said the attackers had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and prepared for the assault at a rental property near Bondi. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence as driven by “extremist ideology.” Naveed had previously come to the authorities' attention in 2019, though officials at the time found no evidence of an imminent threat. Sajid, meanwhile, held a firearms license through a gun club.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos. One woman said she dropped to the ground with her baby as bullets flew overhead, while an Israeli tourist recalled hearing “boom boom boom, four or five times.”

The attack is being investigated as one of the deadliest acts of antisemitic violence in Australia’s history.

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM EST

Sydney man with same name as suspects fears leaving house

A man who has the same name as one of the suspected Bondi Beach shooters has said he fears leaving his house after his photo was mistakenly shared online in connection with the attack.

Naveed Akram, a Pakistani man who lives in Sydney, said said in a video posted to Facebook by the Pakistan Consulate General in Sydney, “I have nothing to do with that incident or with that person. That is a different person, and I am completely outside of this matter."

“This issue is very serious, and I’m very stressed and scared about this, and I cannot even go outside safely. So I just want everyone’s help, to help me stop this propaganda,” Akram added, referencing the social media posts accusing him of being the suspect.

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM EST

Bondi Beach attackers misled their family before mass shooting

Sajid and Naveed Akram, identified as the perpetrators of Sunday’s Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration, had reportedly told relatives they were on a fishing trip.

Naveed’s mother, Verena, recounted to The Sydney Morning Herald that her son called her on the day of the assault, claiming he had been swimming and diving before planning to stay home because of the heat. Hours later, police swarmed the family’s residence as news of the massacre spread.

Authorities said Naveed remains hospitalized in critical condition but is showing signs he may survive. Investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to one of Australia’s deadliest antisemitic attacks.

Dec 15, 2025 at 11:56 AM EST

Donations surge for Bondi Beach hero

A fundraising campaign for Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander who disarmed one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach mass shooting, has raised more than 1.4 million Australian dollars (about $950,000 USD).

Organizers of the GoFundMe page said they launched the effort to “honour this absolute hero and help support him through recovery,” praising his intervention as an act that prevented further loss of life.

Al Ahmed, identified Monday by officials, is the son of Syrian refugees and was seriously injured while tackling the attacker. His actions, captured on video, have been widely hailed across Australia and beyond.

GoFundMe confirmed it is working directly with campaign organizers to ensure the funds reach Al Ahmed and his family safely. The company said donations remain with payment processors until verification is complete.

Dec 15, 2025 at 11:45 AM EST

Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al-Ahmed says he has no regrets

The Bondi Beach hero, who took down one of the suspects during Sunday's deadly attack, has said he has no regrets despite receiving serious injuries including multiple gunshot wounds to his shoulder and arm.

“He said he’d do it again,” Ahmed al-Ahmed's layer Sam Issa said Monday after speaking to his client in hospital. “But the pain has started to take a toll on him. He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”

The father-of-two, 44, a Syrian who was granted Australian citizenship in 2022, was praised by President Donald Trump as a "very, very brave person" who saved "a lot of lives" during the attack.

Dec 15, 2025 at 11:40 AM EST

Australia’s antisemitism envoy urges action after Bondi attack

Australia’s special envoy on antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has called on the government to intensify efforts to protect Jewish communities following the Bondi Beach shooting that left at least 15 people dead during a Hanukkah celebration.

Segal, appointed last year by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid rising antisemitic incidents, told ABC that the attack was “shocking but not unexpected.” She noted that antisemitism in Australia has surged since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel, citing recent arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish institutions.

“This is not random,” Segal said. “It is an attack on the Jews of Australia. It’s an attack on Australia as well.”

Segal urged the government to adopt recommendations she submitted in July, including stronger monitoring of social media and media outlets, and withholding funding from universities that fail to address antisemitism. While Albanese previously said the proposals would be “carefully considered,” critics such as the Australian Human Rights Institute argued they relied on weak evidence and overreach.

In the wake of the Bondi tragedy, Segal insisted the time for delay had passed. “Words lead to actions, and actions lead to things like this — to actual killings,” she said, adding that symbolic gestures are not enough. “We need more than embracing. We need to understand that this pure evil is antisemitism.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 11:26 AM EST

France opens terror probe after Sydney attack

France’s national antiterrorism prosecutor has launched a murder investigation and attempted murder tied to a terrorist enterprise following the deadly attack in Sydney. French officials confirmed that one citizen was killed and another injured during the assault.

In a statement on Monday, the prosecutor’s office said the inquiry aims to ensure victims and their families receive information and support, while also assisting Australian authorities in their judicial process.

Dec 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM EST

Sydney bystander hailed as hero after Bondi attack

Australian officials have identified Ahmed el Ahmed as the bystander who tackled one of the gunmen during Sunday’s Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. El Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian citizen, was seriously injured in the confrontation but is being praised for his bravery, which authorities say saved countless lives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended his actions as an example of Australians “coming together” in the face of tragedy. Video verified by The New York Times shows el Ahmed approaching the gunman from behind, tackling him, and seizing the weapon as shots rang out.

El Ahmed immigrated to Australia in 2006 and runs a fruit shop in Sydney. His parents told ABC that he had been having coffee near the beach when he rushed to intervene. NSW Premier Chris Minns shared a photo of himself recovering in hospital, noting his courage.

A GoFundMe campaign to support el Ahmed has raised more than 1.3 million Australian dollars, including a donation from billionaire investor Bill Ackman. Visitors at St. George Hospital have left gifts and letters, including one from a child who wrote: “Thank you so much for saving all those people you didn’t even know.”

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Dec 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM EST

Australia moves toward tougher gun laws after Bondi attack

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has vowed to push for “the toughest gun legislation in the country” following the Bondi Beach shooting. Speaking to the ABC, Minns said reforms could include requiring gun owners to regularly renew their licenses and tightening access to certain types of firearms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the call for stronger laws after meeting with state and territory leaders. In a statement, his office confirmed that governments will work together to update the National Firearms Agreement, first introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people.

Among the measures under consideration are limits on the number of firearms an individual can own and restricting gun licenses to Australian citizens. Albanese said the reforms are aimed at ensuring public safety while responding to the lessons of the Bondi tragedy.

Dec 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM EST

Jewish leaders criticize government response to rising antisemitism

Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, has warned that antisemitism should have been addressed more urgently, saying grief within the community has turned to anger following the Bondi Beach terror attack. Speaking on CNN’s Newsroom, Gregory argued that lawmakers missed opportunities to act on a documented rise in antisemitic incidents.

He noted that while the government appointed a commissioner on antisemitism, recommendations have yet to be implemented. University campuses and media outlets were cited as key “hotspots” where antisemitic sentiment has grown. Gregory criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s immediate pledge to tighten gun laws as a “deflection,” insisting that meaningful change must target incitement and protect Jewish institutions, including schools and nurseries.

In a national address, Albanese condemned the Bondi attack and called for unity, saying his government has taken antisemitism seriously since the surge in incidents after October 7, 2023. Gregory, however, stressed that the community is “bearing a very heavy burden” and requires stronger safeguards.

Dec 15, 2025 at 10:22 AM EST

Bondi gunman’s firearms highlight NSW licensing rules

New South Wales Police confirmed that Sajid Akram, one of the gunmen in the Bondi Beach attack, legally owned six registered firearms under a recreational category A/B licence. Authorities noted that such ownership is not unusual in the state, where licensing requirements are relatively straightforward.

To obtain a licence, applicants must be over 18, medically fit, complete a safety course, and provide a “genuine reason” such as sport shooting, hunting, or pest control. Category A/B licences carry no cap on the number of firearms an individual can own. Records show one licence holder possessed 298 guns as of June.

Recent statistics underscore the scale of firearm ownership in New South Wales. As of August, 259,107 licence holders collectively owned more than 1.14 million guns, averaging over four per person. Of these, nearly 973,000 were category A/B firearms. With a population of 8.58 million, the figures equate to roughly 13 guns for every 100 residents.

Dec 15, 2025 at 09:59 AM EST

Australians rush to donate blood after Bondi Beach attack

Thousands of Australians lined up at blood donation centers on Monday in a powerful show of solidarity following the deadly Bondi Beach shooting. The Australian Red Cross reported that more than 40,000 appointments were booked nationwide — about 30,000 more than on a typical day — marking the most significant response since the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

At a Sydney center, long queues formed as residents sought to support victims and their families. “I just want to donate blood because I felt super helpless at home, just sitting and doing nothing,” one woman told Seven Network. Another donor said, “It’s the most minuscule thing that we can do to help.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 09:44 AM EST

Albanese rejects Netanyahu’s claim linking Bondi attack to Palestinian recognition

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested that Canberra’s recognition of a Palestinian state had fueled antisemitism in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting. Speaking to ABC on Monday, Albanese said he saw “no link” between the two events.

He emphasized that “most of the world recognizes a two‑state solution as being the way forward in the Middle East,” noting that Australia joined countries including Britain, Canada, and France in formally recognizing a Palestinian state in September.

Jewish leaders in Australia have long warned of rising antisemitism. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported 1,654 incidents last year, a threefold increase since the October 7, 2023, attacks. In response, Albanese appointed both a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and an anti‑Islamophobia envoy to address tensions affecting Jewish and Palestinian communities.

Following Sunday’s attack, which targeted a Jewish gathering, Albanese said his priority was to “bring the nation together” in a “moment of national unity.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 09:31 AM EST

Slovak citizen among victims of Bondi Beach attack

One of the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting has been identified as Slovak citizen Marika Pogány, according to the Slovak Jewish Association. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini confirmed her death, condemning the “senseless, violent rampage” and offering condolences to her family.

The association described Pogány as “active, smiley and humane.” Former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová, a close family friend, recalled meeting her during a visit to Auschwitz. Pogány’s family history was marked by tragedy, with only her mother and uncle surviving the concentration camp. Čaputová said Sydney had become a safe haven for her, away from fascism and communism.

After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Pogány began returning to Slovakia annually. Čaputová remembered her as “an extraordinary woman who lived her life to the fullest,” sharing that Pogány’s final message to her was: “Life is a fight, take it as it is.”

President Pellegrini, in his tribute, warned of the dangers of hatred rooted in differences of faith, race, or origin, calling Pogány’s death a reminder of the destructive power of intolerance.

Dec 15, 2025 at 09:17 AM EST

Bondi Beach attack suspects believed to have acted alone

Australian authorities say the two men accused of killing 15 people in the Bondi Beach shooting were not part of a wider extremist cell, allowing them to avoid detection despite past scrutiny. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC that while the pair were motivated by antisemitic ideology, “there’s no evidence that these people were part of a cell.”

The suspects, identified by local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24‑year‑old son Naveed, had previously come to the attention of security services. In 2019, ASIO investigated the younger Akram for six months due to his ties to two individuals later jailed, but found no evidence of radicalization. His father was interviewed during the same inquiry and also showed no signs of extremist leanings, Albanese said.

Police believe the duo acted alone, basing their assessment on searches of properties linked to them. Naveed remains in the hospital under guard and has not yet been questioned. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed Sajid Akram had held a firearms license since 2015, but acknowledged authorities “know very little about them.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 09:03 AM EST

Conventional Wisdom: The Bondi Beach Intifada Edition

Two gunmen opened fire on a celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. The antisemitic attack follows a surge in violence and threats against the country’s Jewish community.

⬆Ahmed al Ahmed

Video of a 43-year-old father of two charging one the shooters and wresting the gun from him went viral, providing the brightest moment on one of Australia’s darkest days. Praised by Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and virtually every Australian leader, Ahmed is in hospital after being hit by two bullets. That Ahmed is a Muslim whose moral and physical courage saved Jewish lives makes him probably the most important of the day’s many heroes.

⬆Arsen Ostrovsky

CW does not pretend that a man who gets hit in the head by a terrorist’s bullet is a winner. The ⬆ is a nod to Ostrovsky’s prescience, optimism and courage. The Israeli human rights lawyer penned an essay in September about his optimism that ordinary Australians could overcome a surge in antisemitism. He moved to Australia to help the Jewish community fight discrimination only to be wounded at Bondi Beach. His bloodied face during defiant TV interviews became one of the day's enduring images.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 08:50 AM EST

Bondi Beach shooting becomes Australia’s deadliest in decades, likened to 1996 Port Arthur massacre

At least 16 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, marking the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. More than 40 others remain hospitalized across the city.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as a “targeted” act of antisemitic terrorism, calling it “evil” and vowing to implement tighter gun laws. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident a terror attack within hours. Authorities confirmed the shooters were Sajid Akram, 50, who died at the scene, and his 24‑year‑old son Naveed, who is critically injured under police guard.

The Bondi tragedy unfolded during a Hanukkah event, sending beachgoers fleeing for cover as improvised explosive devices were later discovered nearby. It comes three years after the Wieambilla ambush in Queensland and nearly 11 years since the Lindt Café siege in Sydney, adding to a grim history of mass violence despite Australia’s strict gun laws.

Other notable incidents include the 2019 Darwin shooting that left four dead, the 2018 Margaret River murder‑suicide that claimed seven lives, and the 2014 Lindt Café siege, which killed two hostages. The Port Arthur massacre in 1996 remains the deadliest, with 35 killed and 23 injured.

The Bondi Beach attack now stands as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in the 21st century, underscoring ongoing challenges in preventing extremist violence.

Dec 15, 2025 at 08:36 AM EST

Iranian official links Israel to Australia attack

A senior Iranian official has accused Israel of being linked to a violent incident in Sydney, adding to heightened tensions and competing narratives surrounding the attack as authorities continue to assess responsibility.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said “Israel’s rushed and illogical remarks likely point to its own role in the Sydney incident.” Writing in Farsi on X, he described the Australia attack as a “terrorist crime reflecting medieval approaches in the modern era”. He said it showed the “impotence of the perpetrators, planners and instigators,” language that reflects Tehran’s broader criticism of what it sees as Israeli efforts to shape international perceptions after such incidents.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 08:22 AM EST

WATCH |Bondi Beach terror attack: Suspect linked to ISIS group

Dec 15, 2025 at 08:08 AM EST

Uncommon Knowledge: How Iran stoked Australia’s antisemitism crisis

As families in Sydney gathered for a public menorah lighting at Bondi Beach on December 14, two gunmen opened fire in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called "an act of pure evil," an attack targeting Jews during Hanukkah. At least 15 people were killed. Police and officials described the attack as antisemitic terrorism; the elder gunman was killed, and his son was taken into custody. Vigils swelled along the sand the next day.

The shock was visceral, but not wholly surprising to those tracking anti-Jewish hate since October 7, 2023. In two annual reports spanning the period before Bondi, an Australian Jewish organization recorded unprecedented numbers of incidents: 2,062 in the 12 months to September 30, 2024, and 1,654 in the year to September 30, 2025. The 2025 figure was about three times higher than any prior annual total before the Gaza war, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ).

And the nature of those incidents has been changing: even as the total number of incidents fell from 2024 to 2025, the most serious categories—arson and other violent attacks, including synagogue and preschool attacks—rose to record levels, culminating in a mass-casualty shooting.

What makes it more alarming still is that some of the ugliest activity wasn’t purely domestic. In August, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador after the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) concluded Tehran—specifically the Revolutionary Guard—directed at least two antisemitic arson attacks in 2024: the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and an attack on a Jewish-owned business in Sydney. Canberra said it had "credible intelligence" Iran likely directed others.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 07:54 AM EST

Pope Leo condemns Bondi Beach attack, calls for end to antisemitic violence

Pope Leo has spoken out following the deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, urging unity against hatred and offering prayers for the victims. In a post on X, the pontiff called for an end to antisemitic violence and appealed for compassion in the wake of the attack.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 07:41 AM EST

Ahmed al Ahmed acted out of ‘pure conscience and humanity’: Family

Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander who disarmed one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, is being praised by his family and officials for his bravery. His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told BBC News Arabic that his son acted out of “pure conscience and humanity,” rushing forward without hesitation when he saw people under fire.

Ahmed had been nearby by chance, out for coffee with a friend, when he encountered the chaos. Witnessing victims on the ground, including women and children, he tackled the attacker and seized his weapon. In the process, he sustained gunshot wounds to his shoulder and hand. His family says his condition is stable as he awaits further treatment.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited Ahmed in hospital, calling him a “real-life hero.” In Syria, where Ahmed was born and raised, relatives expressed pride in his actions. His uncle described the moment as one that honored their village, their faith, and “the entire world.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 07:29 AM EST

Bondi Beach shooting: What we know so far

More than a day has passed since gunmen opened fire on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens injured in one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings.

Authorities have begun releasing the names of victims, which include a ten‑year‑old girl, two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and foreign nationals from France and Slovakia.

A bystander, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, has been hailed as a hero after tackling and disarming one of the attackers. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited him in hospital, praising his courage as “real‑life heroism.”

Australian media have named the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24‑year‑old son, Naveed Akram. Officials say Naveed was born in Australia, while his father immigrated in 1998.

Two police officers were among the injured. Constable Scott Dyson, who has served with the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command for 18 months, remains in serious but stable condition alongside a colleague.

In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to tighten gun laws. Under the proposed measures, only Australian citizens will be eligible for firearm licenses, with restrictions on the number and type of weapons permitted.

Dec 15, 2025 at 07:09 AM EST

‘My Son is a Hero’ Says Father of Ahmed Al Ahmed, Who Disarmed Gunman

The father of Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, who risked his life to stop one of the Bondi Beach gunmen, has said his son had an impulse to protect people.

Video has shown al-Ahmed, a father-of-two from Sydney, tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him.

Speaking to ABC Australia through a translator, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed said his son had arranged to meet with a friend for a coffee at Bondi Beach when they confronted the terrifying scene. “Their lives were in danger,” he said, “he noticed one of the armed men in a distance, from him hiding behind a tree.”

“My son is a hero,” he said, “when he saw people lying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.”

“I feel pride and honor, because my son is a hero of Australia.”

Ahmed al-Ahmed’s mother, Malakeh Hasan al-Ahmed, said she was proud of her son, telling ABC “he saved lives, souls. God would not harm him."

“He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit.” His cousin Hozay Alkanj said he had undergone his first surgery and that may need to have further surgeries.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has visited al-Ahmed in hospital where he is being treated for his injuries after he got shot.

Dec 15, 2025 at 06:32 AM EST

Slovakian Woman Among Those Killed: Slovakia’s President

A woman from Slovakia was among those who were killed at Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday, Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini has said.

In an X post, Pellegrini said he had condemned "the brutal, deadly attack" adding that the "grief has reached Slovakia as well — among the victims of this senseless, violent rampage was a Slovak woman, Marika."

Pellegrini did not give a surname but added that in his post, that it was "terrifying to see how far sick, faceless hatred toward strangers can go — hatred fueled simply by differences in faith, skin color, origin, or orientation."

Earlier, local media reported that an 82-year-old, Marika Pogany, had died in the attacks, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, although it has not been confirmed if it was the same person.

"We must remember this every time we carelessly, without reflecting on the consequences, whether knowingly or unknowingly, contribute to the spread of hatred ourselves," said Pellegrini's post.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 06:07 AM EST

Australia Weighs Tougher Gun Laws After Mass Shooting

Australian lawmakers have agreed to tougher rules around gun ownership in the wake of the terror attack by Bondi Beach.

The country's premiers and first ministers unanimously agreed that only Australian citizens can hold a firearm license.

Also being considered are accelerating a national firearms register, limiting the number of guns a single person can own and restricting the kinds of weapons that are legal were being explored, Australia’s ABC News reported.

Australia has some of the world’s strictest gun laws which were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, when 35 people were killed by lone gunman Martin Bryant.

Reforms meant that national, state and territory governments had to sign up to the National Firearms Agreement, which restricted automatic, semi-automatic and pump action rifles, as well as shotguns.

Stricter requirements for the registration and storage of firearms were introduced but Monday’s Cabinet meeting suggested that laws would be toughened further.

One of the two gunmen, Sajid Akram, was also killed, while his son Naveed Akram is in hospital. The father had been a licensed gun holder for a decade and had six registered firearms recovered from the scene.

Police ministers and attorneys-general in each state and territory of Australia will consider the proposals as the federal government looks at potential customs restrictions for gun imports, ABC reported.

Dec 15, 2025 at 05:43 AM EST

Gunmen Were Not Part Of A Wider Cell: Australian PM

The gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach attacks were acting alone and not part of a wider extremist cell, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said.

Albanese said that the younger shooter, named by local media as Naveed Akram, was not part of a counter terrorism watchlist although he had been investigated in 2019 over his connections to two people who were subsequently jailed.

Media reported that the other shooter, was Akram’s 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, who died at the scene.

Albanese told Australian outlet ABC that the pair were motivated by “extremist ideology” but the same outlet said that the prime minister will face questions over how the attack happened.

Israel had given the Australian government numerous intelligence warnings and since the October 7 2023 attacks by Hamas and the war in Gaza, there has been a sharp rise in the number of violent antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents throughout Australia, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

The impression in Israel was that while the Australian government had taken security measures, these were limited out of a wish to avoid a confrontation with the country's Muslim population, according to the publication.

“Some Israeli cabinet ministers cast the responsibility for the terror attack on the Australian government and claimed that it had failed to curb the antisemitic violence in the country,” Haaretz said.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 05:12 AM EST

UK’s Chief Rabbi Said His Family Hid Under Table During Attack

Ephraim Mirvis, the UK's chief rabbi, has said that his family were caught up in the terror attack and hid under a doughnut stand during the shootings.

He told UK’s Sky News that his cousin and his cousin’s wife were at the event in Sydney where he will travel tomorrow to be with the Jewish community for its seven-day period of mourning.

"For 15 terrifying minutes they were hiding under a doughnut stand, as people to their right and left were being shot dead,” Mirvis told the outlet, “they were among the fortunate ones. So we're feeling this very deeply right now."

Regarding whether a similar attack could happen in the UK, he said, “I'm fearful for all of our society. This is not a Jewish problem. It's a problem for all of our society."

Dec 15, 2025 at 04:55 AM EST

‘Real Life Hero’ Ahmed Al Ahmed Pictured in Hospital

An image of Ahmed al Ahmed, who was shot while tackling and disarming one the gunmen has been released as he recovers in hospital.

The premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, posted on X an image of him visiting the 43-year-old whom he praised for saving “countless lives.”

"It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW,” said Minns in his post.

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Dec 15, 2025 at 04:17 AM EST

GoFundMe account for Bondi hero raises more than $1 million

A GoFundMe account has raised more than $1 million for the man who disarmed one of the Bondi beach attackers on Sunday.

The man, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was caught on video wrestling a rifle away from one of the gunmen. He was wounded and has been undergoing surgery in hospital, relatives have told media.

“In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety,” the GoFundMe account says.

“This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most."

The total raised was $1,056,703, as of early Monday evening.

Dec 15, 2025 at 04:00 AM EST

Australia clarifies visa status of two shooting suspects

The Australian government has clarified the visa status of the two suspects in Sunday’s shooting at Bondi Beach.

Police have not released the names of the two suspected shooters but said they were a father and son. State broadcaster ABC and other media outlets have identified them as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram.

“The son is an Australian born citizen,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told reporters.

“The father arrived in 1998 on a Student Visa, transferred in 2001 to a Partner Visa and after each trip overseas since then has been on Resident Return Visas, which has occurred three times.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:47 AM EST

Sydney Muslim cemetery desecrated with pigs heads

A Muslim cemetery in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Narellan has been desecrated with butchered pig heads and body parts, the news outlet news.com.au reported on Monday, a day after two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Police have not released the names of the two suspected shooters but said they were a father and son. State broadcaster ABC and other media outlets have identified them as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram.

ABC has also reported that the younger Akram was believed to have had a link to the Islamic State militant group.

The news site broadcast video of what appeared to be at least two severed pigs heads and other pieces of pig carcass on the grass in the cemetery.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:37 AM EST

Australia to review gun licenses

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said gun licenses should not be issued in perpetuity and they would be reviewed as part of new measures to control and regulate gun ownership in response to the Bondi shooting.

“We’ll put on the agenda of the National Cabinet tougher gun laws including limits on the number of guns that can be used, or licensed by individuals,” Albanese told reporters.

“A review of licences over a period of time - people’s circumstances change, people can be radicalised over a period of time - licences should not be in perpetuity,” he said.

“And checks, of course, making sure those checks and balances are in place as well,” he said.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:24 AM EST

Bondi shooting suspect Naveed Akram believed to have had ISIS link

Australia’s public broadcaster ABC said Naveed Akram was believed to be closely connected to a member of the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) who was arrested in July 2019 and convicted of preparing a terrorist act in Australia.

The national broadcaster said counterterrorism detectives believed the suspects had pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday the 24-year-old suspect in the Bondi shooting came to the attention of the Australian authorities in October 2019.

“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence,” Albanese told a news conference.

The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had earlier confirmed that the man was previously on the agency’s radar.

“One of the individuals was known to us but not in an immediate threat perspective, so obviously we need to look into what happened here,” ASIO head Mike Burgess said.

The man, who was born in Australia, is in hospital with wounds and is likely to face charges, police said. His father, the second suspected gunman, was killed at the scene on Sunday.

Dec 15, 2025 at 03:14 AM EST

Neighbor regarded shooting suspects as ‘normal people’

In the sprawling southwest Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg, about an hour’s drive from Bondi on the coast, a neighbor of the suspects in Sunday’s killing of 15 people at a Jewish gathering said she knew them as ordinary people.

Police have not released the names of the two suspected shooters but said they were a father and son. State broadcaster ABC and other media outlets have identified them as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram.

The two and Sajid's wife, Naveed's mother, lived in a single-storey brick home with a fence out front in the ethnically diverse, working-class community.

"I always see the man and the woman and the son," said 66-year-old Lemanatua Fatu, who lives across the street.

"They are normal people," she told media.

Dec 15, 2025 at 02:28 AM EST

Australian leader calls cabinet meeting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of his cabinet on Monday “to respond to the act of terror and antisemitism in Bondi last night.”

“We stand with Jewish Australians and we stand against hatred and violence,” Albanese said in a post on X.

“Australia is stronger than those who try to divide us and we will come through this together.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 02:15 AM EST

Some victims identified

The identities of some of the 15 people killed in the shooting on Sunday have been released.

Among the dead is Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, who organized the event for the Jewish organization Chabad of Bondi, where he served as assistant rabbi, the group said.

Other victims that have been identified are Reuven Morrison, a member of the Chabad community who divided his time between Melbourne and Sydney, Chabad said.

Also killed were Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who attended the event with his children and grandchildren, Dan Elkayam, a young man from France, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, the group said.

French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the death of Elkayam on X, writing: "We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community, and with the grieving Australian people."

A 10-year-old girl who police say is among the victims has been identified by media only as Matilda.

Another of the victims was Peter Meagher, a former policeman and rugby club volunteer. He had been working as a freelance photographer at the Hanukkah event, the Randwick Rugby Club said.

Dec 15, 2025 at 01:13 AM EST

Younger shooting suspect came to attention of authorities in 2019

The 24-year-old suspect in the Bondi shooting came to the attention of the Australian authorities in October 2019, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday.

“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence,” Albanese told a news conference.

The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had earlier confirmed that the man was previously on the agency’s radar.

“One of the individuals was known to us but not in an immediate threat perspective, so obviously we need to look into what happened here,” ASIO head Mike Burgess said.

The man, who was born in Australia, is in hospital with wounds and is likely to face charges, police said.

The other suspect, his 50-year-old father who moved to Australia in 1998, was killed by police at the scene on Sunday.

Dec 15, 2025 at 01:00 AM EST

Attack was a ‘dark day’ in Australia’s history, PM says

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack at the "iconic" Bondi Beach on Sunday was an act of pure evil and a dark day in his country’s history.

“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of terror, an act of antisemitism, an attack on the first day of Hanukkah, targeted at the Jewish community, a dark day in Australia’s history on what should have been a day of light,”

Albanese told a briefing.

Albanese said his visit to the scene earlier on Monday had been a very strong reminder of the “iconic status” of the Bondi Beach and the Bondi Pavillion.

“The fact that this was a venue for this act of evil, that was clearly calculated by the perpetrators, is an outrage and a shock to the community.”

Dec 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM EST

Australian Muslim groups ‘unequivocally condemn the horrific shootings’

Australian Muslim groups condemned the shooting and called for solidarity with the victims and among all Australians.

“These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law,” the Australian National Imams Council, the Council of Imams NSW and the Australian Muslim community said in a statement.

“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack. We acknowledge the pain, fear, and distress felt across the community and extend our sincere compassion and support to all who are grieving.”

“We urge the community to remain vigilant, exercise caution, and support one another during this challenging time.”

The groups called for all Australians, including the Muslim community, to “stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms and affirming our shared commitment to social harmony and the safety of all Australians.”

Dec 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM EST

How effective are Australia’s gun laws?

In 1996, a mass shooting in the Australian town of Port Arthur, in Tasmania, in which 35 people were killed and 23 were wounded, prompted immediate changes to firearm regulation.

New laws were introduced within 12 days of the shooting and a buyback program of about 650,000 firearms that were subsequently outlawed.

The changes included a ban on some categories of firearms, including semiautomatic assault rifles and pump-action shotguns, a national firearm register, a 28-day waiting period for firearm purchases, and tighter licensing rules, including a ban on licenses for those under 18 and mandatory background checks.

A second buyback program targeting newly prohibited handguns was implemented after a 2002 shooting at Melbourne's Monash University, when a student armed with six legally acquired handguns killed two fellow students and wounded five people.

So gun ownership is tightly regulated, and firearms are generally restricted to specific purposes such as hunting, farming or sport shooting.

In the 18 years before Port Arthur, there were 13 gun-related mass killings—defined as the killing of four or more people in one incident—resulting in more than 100 deaths.

In the decade after Port Arthur, Australia recorded zero mass shootings with four or more victims.

But while mass shootings are rare, gun violence has not been eliminated with many shootings over the years involving family violence, and some researchers say that Australia’s firearm laws are not living up to the promise.

“Almost 30 years after Port Arthur, there are more guns in Australia than ever before,” the Australia Institute said in a report in May.

“There is no National Firearms Register and minors can use firearms in every state. Eight OECD countries have lower gun homicide rates than Australia.”

The University of Sydney said in a 2021 paper that while the proportions of Australians that hold a gun license and Australian households with a firearm have fallen dramatically since 1997, people who already owned guns had bought more.

So while Australia's changes to gun ownership laws made possession a far more stringent process, and some illegal firearms were bought back by the state after the law was passed, it has not resulted in a "surrender" by private owners.

Dec 14, 2025 at 09:26 PM EST

IN PICTURES: Mourning at Bondi

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Dec 14, 2025 at 09:13 PM EST

One of the two suspects was known to Australian security agency

One of the suspected gunmen in the Bondi Beach attack was known to Australia’s main intelligence service, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) told reporters.

“One of the individuals was known to us but not in an immediate threat perspective, so obviously we need to look into what happened here,” Mike Burgess said.

Police have identified the two suspects as a father and son.

The 50-year-old father was shot and killed by police at the scene of Sunday’s shooting. His 24-year-old son remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, according to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

Police seized six weapons owned by the father, who had held a firearms license since 2015, Lanyon said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 09:01 PM EST

Australian police checking backgrounds of two suspects

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the father-son pair of suspected shooters have had “connection for quite a period of time in Australia," adding that the father had held a firearms licence since 2015.

Lanyon declined to go into details saying police are “still working through background of the two people...At this stage we know very little about them."

Asked if the two suspected shooters are Australian citizens, he said: "I'm not prepared to comment on that."

Dec 14, 2025 at 08:46 PM EST

New South Wales premier vows ‘overwhelming’ response to attack

New South Wales premier Chris Minns vowed an “overwhelming” response to the Bondi Beach attack.

“This is a shocking, shocking act of violence, and it needs to be met with an overwhelming government, community and police response,” Minns told a press conference.

“We need to send a clear message to the people of this state, and those in that affected community that have seen so much violence and damage, that NSW Police are there to protect them and keep them safe,” Minns added.

Dec 14, 2025 at 08:43 PM EST

New South Wales premier says gun laws need to change

New South Wales premier Chris Minns said it was “time for a change” to gun laws.

“I think it’s time that we have a change to the law in relation to the firearms legislation in New South Wales, but I’m not ready to announce it today,” Minns said during a press conference Monday.

“We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact.”

"It does require legislation. It means introducing a bill to Parliament to, to be really blunt, making it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community," Minns said.

"If you're not a farmer, you're not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons to put the public in danger?"

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that the 50-year-old suspected shooter was "entitled" to firearms because he was a member of a gun club.

"He was a member of a gun club and was entitled by nature of the firearms acts to have a firearms licence issued," Lanyon said. He said the man had a "category AB licence, that entitled him to have the long arms he had."

"In terms of a firearms licence, the firearms registry conducts a thorough examination of all applications to ensure a person is fit and proper to hold a firearms licence," he said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 08:37 PM EST

State police commissioner praises bravery of community members

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon praised members of the community for their bravery during the attack on Sunday.

"There are many, many stories of bravery from members of the community as well," Lanyon told reporters.

"Really want to acknowledge the work that was done yesterday. We know that a number of people are alive now because of the actions of innocent bystanders," he said.

Earlier, Lanyon identified the suspects as a father-son duo. The 50-year-old father was shot and killed by police on the scene, and his 24-year-old son remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The 24-year-old suspected shooter is likely to face criminal charges, he said.

Thirty-eight people are being treated in hospital following the attack, he said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 08:28 PM EST

Joe Biden condemns ‘shocking and unconscionable’ attack

Former U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attack and called for unity against antisemitism.

“Jill and I stand with the Jewish community in Australia as they face unimaginable loss and suffering following a targeted attack at a Hanukkah celebration. It’s shocking and unconscionable. We must unite against violence and antisemitism, and give hate no safe harbor anywhere in the world,” Biden said in a message on social media.

“For Jewish people lighting a menorah tonight: I know that it is hard to find hope while carrying sorrow. But your resilience and capacity to find faith and joy despite centuries of persecution and pain has always been your light. We must never lose hope,” he said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 06:20 PM EST

Premier Minns: Victims in Shooting Aged 10 to 87

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales, said the victims in the shooting on Bondi Beach were aged 10 to 87, calling the information "a devastating fact" during a Monday press conference.

Minns did not elaborate on whether the ages included those killed or all of those injured in the shooting at a Hanukkah celebration.

A total of 16 people, including a 50-year-old gunman, were killed in the Sunday night attack. Another 40 remained hospitalized, including two police officers, officials said during the press conference.

"Obviously, the Jewish community in New South Wales are absolutely devastated this morning, and it's our responsibility to wrap our arms around that community and let them know that ordinary Australians, regular Australians, are in their corner and thinking of them this morning after this terrible, terrible targeted attack on what should have been a joyful event that they have every right to share with their community on Bondi Beach last night," Minns said.

Minn said that leaders need to send a "strong and clear repudiation of anti semitism" in all of its forms.

"There is no tolerance for racism or Jewish hatred in New South Wales or Australia, and we need to be clear and unambiguous that we will fight everywhere we see it, whether it's destructive, horrible acts of violence...posts on the internet, wherever it is, we need to fight antisemitism. It is toxic. It is cancerous within a community."

Dec 14, 2025 at 05:42 PM EST

Incendiary Devices Found at Bondi Beach Scene Were Active

Two incendiary devices that were found at Bondi Beach following the deadly shooting were active, Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner, said during a press conference Monday.

Lanyon described the devices as "rudimentary."

"They were taken by our rescue and bomb disposal unit," Lanyon explained. "They were found to be active devices, so they were taken back and rendered safe by our beliefs."

Firearms were also found at the scene, Lanyon said, noting that the 50-year-old suspect who died on the scene was a registered firearm owner for at least ten years, with six firearms registered to him.

Dec 14, 2025 at 04:30 PM EST

Over 300 Officers in Bondi Beach Community After Deadly Attack

There will be 328 officers on the ground in the Bondi Beach community as part of Operation Shelter following the terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration Sunday, Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner said during a Monday press conference.

Lanyon said that they will work with the Jewish community to help respond to and prevent any issues.

"This is not a time for anyone to be seeking retribution," Lanyon noted, saying "This is a time for community to grieve and to heal."

He said a second operation, Operation ARQUES has also commenced following the attack.

ARQUES "is a joint counter terrorism operation" between the New South Wales Police force and their working very closely with our Commonwealth partners, Lanyon explained.

Dec 14, 2025 at 04:02 PM EST

Two Officers Injured Responding to Shooting

Two New South Wales Police Force officers are hospitalized Monday after responding to the deadly attack on Bondi Beach, authorities said.

The officers are both in critical but stable condition, Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner said during a Monday press confrence.

He didn't elaborate on the nature of the injuries suffered by the officers.

"We pray that those are injured come home quickly," Lanyon said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 03:50 PM EST

Flags At Half-Staff Across Australia Following Deadly Shooting

Flags will be kept at half-staff across Australia Monday after a deadly terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach left 16 people dead and 40 people hospitalized, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a press conference.

Albanese said the incident was "deliberately targeted at the Jewish community."

He spoke of Bondi Beach as a beloved place for families to make memories, saying those memories are now "forever tarnished."

Federal police are working closely with local authorities and will "dedicate every single resource that is required in responding to this," Albanese said.

"Antisemitism is a scourge...We need to do whatever we can to stamp it out," the Prime Minister said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 03:37 PM EST

NWS Police Commissioner: Bondi Attack Suspects Were Father and Son

The suspects in the deadly attack on a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration Sunday were a father and son duo, Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner, said during a police conference held Monday morning in Australia.

The father, who is deceased, was 50 years old, while the suspect who survived is 24, according to Lanyon.

Lanyon said the 24-year-old suspect is in the hospital in critical but stable condition.

The pair are believed to be the only two people involved in the attack, Lanyon said, noting "We are not looking for a further offender."

The 50-year-old was a licensed firearms holder, with six firearms licensed to him, according to Lanyon.

Dec 14, 2025 at 03:05 PM EST

Police Close Roads, Ban Drones from Bondi Beach Attack Area

Bondi Beach and roads in the area are closed as authorities continue to investigate the terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration that left 16 people dead and 40 people hospitalized, the New South Wales Police Force said in a series of posts on X.

The force also said that aircrafts including drones are prohibited from flying over the crime scene.

Authorities have activated the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) to help respond to the incident.

People who had to leave the area during the shooting can register with the PIIC to recover their belongings left behind, including their vehicles.

It may be days before people will be able to receive their belongings, police said.

Officials are also working to establish a memorial site, they said.

Dec 14, 2025 at 02:37 PM EST

16 Killed, 40 Hospitalized In Shooting: Police

The New South Wales Police said in a post on X that 16 people have died following the attack on a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach Sunday.

Another 40 people remained hospitalized, according to the post.

Authorities previously said that one of the suspects was killed and was being counted in the death toll.

Another suspect is in custody, although details about their identity, motive and affiliation have not yet been released.

Dec 14, 2025 at 02:32 PM EST

FBI Providing Assistance in Australia Attack Investigation

The FBI is providing assistance to Australia after the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.

"I have been in touch with our counterparts in Australia regarding the horrific attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney - we are providing the requested assistance and will update with more information as we are able," Patel said in the post.

Australian authorities have called the deadly shooting a terror attack but have not revealed any additional information on the motive or background of the suspect.

One suspect is dead and another is in custody, according to officials.

"Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers," Patel said in his post.

Dec 14, 2025 at 02:18 PM EST

Ivanka Trump Calls Bondi Beach, Brown University Shootings ‘Heartbreaking Tragedies’

Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, spoke about the attack at Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah, as well as the deadly mass shooting at Brown University in a post on X Sunday.

Ivanka Trump is a practicing Jew who converted before marrying her husband Jared Kushner.

"As Jews around the world gather around our menorahs on this first night of Hanukkah, we are reminded how desperately the world needs more light and more Kiddush Hashem," she said.

"The heartbreaking tragedies in Bondi Beach, Australia and at Brown University weigh heavily on all of us. It is unimaginable to fathom the pain these families are enduring, and our hearts are with every loved one affected."

Ivanka Trump said she hoped that the message of Hanukkah would reach those suffering following these tragedies.

"Hanukkah teaches that even in the darkest moments, a single flame has the power to push back overwhelming darkness. Tonight, may our lights shine in honor of those we lost, in solidarity with their families, and as a commitment to bring more compassion, integrity, and holiness into the world," said said, adding, "May we each become a source of light where it is most needed."

Dec 14, 2025 at 01:44 PM EST

President Donald Trump Reacts to Bondi Beach Hanukkah Terror Attack

President Donald Trump said he has "great respect" for a man who is being called a hero after tackling one of the suspected shooters in the deadly Hanukkah attack on Bondi Beach in Australia.

The president made the comments during his remarks at the White House Christmas reception Sunday, CNN reported.

"In Australia, as you know, that was a terrible attack — 11 dead, 29 badly wounded," Trump said during his remarks, adding, "That was an antisemitic attack, obviously."

Trump said the man who tackled one of the attackers is "a very, very brave person.”

The president also spoke about the deadly mass shooting at Brown University, saying, “I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America."

Dec 14, 2025 at 01:21 PM EST

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is known as "The Festival of Lights" and comes from a story about the Maccabees who revolted against the king of Judea.

The Maccabees had enough oil to burn for only one night of light, but instead the oil stayed lit for eight days, resulting in the eight days of Hannukah.

The Jewish calendar follows a lunar cycle, not a solar cycle, as the Gregorian calendar does. Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, but the exact date changes each year.

This year, it starts on Sunday evening, December 14, and concludes on December 22.

Around the world, Jews celebrate by lighting menorahs, making latkes and sufganiyot (a jelly filled donut), and gathering with loved ones.

Dec 14, 2025 at 12:58 PM EST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Calls Out Australia for “Encouraging Antisemitism”

In a series of X posts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called out Australia’s government for doing “nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia.”

He shared a video of him speaking to Israeli officials, stating, “On August 17, about 4 months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian government's policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia.”

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Netanyahu says he wrote in the letter, “Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.”

Australia announced in August it would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, when it formally did.

In the X posts, Netanyahu continued: “Instead, Prime Minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia,” adding, “You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action. You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also laid blame on the Australian government in an X post on Sunday, writing, “Time and again we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that an Israeli citizen died in the attack, according to the Associated Press.

Newsweek has reached out to Israel’s Foreign Ministry for comment via email on Sunday.

Dec 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM EST

NY Congressman: ‘We Can’t Go On Like This’

New York Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, representing the 10th district in Brooklyn, decried the deadly Bondi Beach attack in a post on X Sunday, saying in part, "We can’t go on like this. Violent antisemitism has become the norm."

"Jews celebrating Hanukkah were murdered simply because they were Jews," he continued.

Goldman urged people to come together to fight back against hate.

"Too many have ignored this threat for too long. We must fight back in Congress, in our communities, and anywhere hate exists. And it will take all of us, together."

Dec 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM EST

Rabbi Eli Schlanger Identified as a Victim in Shooting Attack

Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger was among the victims of the mass shooting, family members confirmed to several outlets, including the Associated Press (AP), and Chabad of Bondi said in a statement.

The official Chabad X account wrote in a post a Hebrew phrase that is used after someone has died, writing, “Baruch Dayan Haemet Rabbi Eli Schlanger hy"d.”

The post continued: “Eli was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event. For 18 years, since his marriage to wife Chaya, he has served as a rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community.”

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Chabad is an Orthodox Jewish movement that has substantial global outreach, with emissaries living around the world.

Newsweek has reached out to the Chabad of Bondi for comment via email on Sunday.

The family of the British-born assistant rabbi confirmed to BBC News that Schlanger died. He was 41 years old and the father of five children, one who is around two months old.

His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told BBC News that Schlanger moved from London to New York as a child, before moving to Australia. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said in a Sunday statement that Schlanger “held deep ties to Crown Heights” in Brooklyn.

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The New South Wales Police Force told Newsweek in an email that it “won’t be confirming the ID of anyone who died or was injured at this time."

Dec 14, 2025 at 12:13 PM EST

LAPD Providing Extra Patrols At Jewish Facilities Following Bondi Attack

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a post on X Sunday that it will provide extra patrols at schools, synagogues and Hanukkah events in the city following the deadly attack in Australia.

"While there is no known threat to Los Angeles at this time, the LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities," the statement read.

The LAPD encouraged everyone, especially those attending Hanukkah events, to stay alert, report concerns and review safety protocols.

"The LAPD will continue to work closely with our local, national, and international partners to monitor developments and ensure the safety of our city," the statement said, adding, "Together, we can honor the spirit of Hanukkah by standing united against hate and violence."

Dec 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM EST

Speaker Johnson Says Jewish People ‘Must Be Free to Practice’ Faith

Mike Johnson, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that he stands in solidary with Jewish communities across the globe following the deadly terror attack in Bondi Beach.

"The tragic news this morning of the appalling antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah is another wake-up call," Johnson said in a post on X Sunday. "As we pray for the victims and their families, we stand in solidarity with Jewish communities around the world."

"Jewish people must be free to practice their faith openly and without fear," he said, concluding with, "Antisemitism must be confronted and defeated wherever it appears."

Dec 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM EST

Australia Terrorism Threat Level Set at Probable

The National Threat Advisory System for Australia was set at level Probable at the time of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack.

Probable means "there is a greater than fifty per cent chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next twelve months," the country's police website says.

The website advises that under this threat level people can "go about their daily business as usual" but should maintain awareness about what goes on around them and call authorities if they hear something suspicious.

"Every call is important and could prevent a terrorist attack in Australia," the website says.

If you see, hear or become aware of something suspicious or unusual, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

For an emergency contact Triple Zero (000), and to report information about crime in confidence contact CRIME STOPPERS 1800 333 000.

Dec 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM EST

King Charles ‘Appalled and Saddened’ by Attack

In a statement released on X Sunday, King Charles said he and Queen Camilla "are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach."

King Charles remarked on the "spirit of community and love" in Australia, saying it "will always triumph over the darkness of such evil."

"Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community," the message read. "We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy."

Dec 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM EST

Jewish Community Figure: Rabbi and 12-Year-Old Girl Among Victims

Alexander Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told CNN’s Victor Blackwell that the victims include a Rabbi and a 12-year-old girl.

Rychin said that the Rabbi who died at the scene was "one of the kindest and most beautiful human beings I’ve ever known."

The girl succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, Ryvchin said.

Ryvchin was supposed to speak at the event but dropped out last minute because of a scheduling conflict, he told CNN.

“I know everyone who was there (at the Hanukkah celebration). That’s an event where I attend with my family every single year,” he said. “We’re a very close-knit community, and this event is kind of the gem of our year. It’s something we look forward to every year."

Dec 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM EST

Starmer Calls Attack ‘Sickening’

"The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah [Hannukah] event is sickening," British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said in a post to X. "The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community."

The Community Security Trust (CST), a U.K.-based organization which fights to combat antisemitism, said it was in talks on Sunday with U.K. authorities on increasing security for Hannukah events in the U.K. in the coming days.

Dec 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM EST

‘Everyone Started Running’: Eyewitness

Marcos Carvalho, an eyewitness at Bondi Beach, told BBC News that shortly after hearing shots, "everyone started running."

Carvalho said emergency services arrived on the scene and the sound of gunfire stopped, before he glimpsed "bodies lying on the floor.

Dec 14, 2025 at 09:21 AM EST

Zelensky: Ukraine ‘Stands in Solidarity With Australia’

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said Kyiv "stands in solidarity with Australia in the face of the brutal terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which targeted the Jewish community at the start of Hanukkah."

"We express condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were wounded. Terror and hatred must never prevail — they must be defeated everywhere and every time," Zelensky said.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 08:38 AM EST

US Condemns Attack: ‘Antisemitism Has No Place In This World’

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the U.S. "strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration."

"Antisemitism has no place in this world," Rubio said in a post to X. "Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia."

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Dec 14, 2025 at 07:22 AM EST

Man Disarming Alleged Bondi Shooter a ‘Genuine Hero’: State Leader

Asked in tonight's press conference about footage of a member of the public disarming one of the shooters at Bondi Beach, New South Wales state premier Chris Minn called the man, "a genuine hero."

Describing one of the "most unbelievable scenes I have ever seen," Premier Minns said: "A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people."

"That man is a genuine hero, and I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery."

Dec 14, 2025 at 06:36 AM EST

‘Evil Unleashed at Bondi Is Beyond Comprehension’: Australian PM

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, has delivered live remarks from Canberra to the nation Sunday evening local time.

"The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare," Albanese says.

"Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured. For all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible, early hours of their grief."

"We are also thinking of everyone being treated for their injuries," said the Prime Minister.

"Many of whom are alive right now because of the courage and quick action of the NSW Police and the first responders who rushed to their aid, as well as the courage of everyday Australians who, without hesitating, put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe."

Dec 14, 2025 at 06:25 AM EST

Premier of New South Wales Minns: ‘Horrifying Evil Attack’

Speaking to reporters on live television Sunday evening local time, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said today's attack was clearly 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."

Bondi Beach in Sydney is an iconic beach location in the Australian state of New South Wales.

"Our heart bleeds for Australia's Jewish community tonight," said Premier Minns. "I can only imagine the pain that they're feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.

"It's a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia's Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period."

Dec 14, 2025 at 06:19 AM EST

NSW Police Commissioner Declares Shooting a ‘Terrorist Incident’

Speaking at a news conference in Sydney this evening local time, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared today's mass shooting event a "terrorist incident."

"We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion, the celebration of Hanukkah. And there was well over 1,000 people there when this took place," said Commissioner Lanyon.

"As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9:36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident."

Asked by reporters about the declaration, the Commissioner said police have have found an improvised explosive device in a car linked to the deceased offender.

Dec 14, 2025 at 05:49 AM EST

Witnesses Describe Shots Going On ‘For Minutes’

Bondi Beach was packed with thousands of people enjoying the late afternoon sun on a hot summers day when the shooting started. Witnesses described ten minutes of shooting.

“It sounded like firecrackers going off," said Sydney resident Heather Nolan, speaking to ABC News while sheltering in a changing room at Bondi Beach. "There was a wooden bench. I moved it and put my kids behind the bench. Then someone came and sat down next to us who was bleeding. I don't know what happened to him because somebody opened the door to the change room and ushered people inside."

"I was walking on the beach and then everyone was running," witness Catherine Merchant told ABC News.

"There were bullets, so many of them, and we were really scared. We were running and running and we didn't know whether to hide. We didn't know whether to hide behind bushes, or rocks, or run."

Dec 14, 2025 at 05:32 AM EST

Israeli President Isaac Herzog Reacts to Fatal Shooting in Sydney, Australia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has reacted to reports of today's shooting at Bondi Beach, where a Jewish celebration was taking place to mark the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Herzog described the attackers as "vile terrorists," calling it a "very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of [Hanukkah] on Bondi Beach."

Police in Sydney, Australia have not given any indication of the attackers motivations.

"Our heart goes out to them. Our heart misses a beat" the president continued.

"The entire nation of Israel misses a beat in this very moment as we pray for the recovery of the wounded ... and we pray for those who lost their lives," he said, in an address at the President's House in Jerusalem.

Dec 14, 2025 at 05:19 AM EST

Australia’s Prime Minister: ‘Scenes in Bondi Are Shocking and Distressing’

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, released a statement to social media, which reads: "The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected."

The Australian leader said he had spoken with the commissioner of Australia's federal police and with the premier of New South Wales, adding more information would be made available later on.

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