Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most loved public spaces, has been plunged into grief after a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people attending a Hanukkah celebration.
Police have confirmed the attackers were a father and son, identified by local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed. The older man was killed at the scene, while his son remains in critical condition in hospital.
The victims were targeted because they were Jewish, turning a peaceful religious gathering into a scene of terror. Those killed include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer, a Holocaust survivor, and community members who had gathered with their families to celebrate the festival of light.
Witnesses described panic as gunfire erupted, with people running, screaming and desperately seeking cover. One bystander, fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed bravely tackling one of the gunmen and wresting the weapon from him. His parents later revealed he was shot four or five times in the shoulder while trying to save others.
As the community struggles to process the tragedy, tributes have flooded Bondi Beach. Hundreds gathered at the Bondi Pavilion, laying flowers, lighting candles and holding Jewish and Australian flags. A handwritten sign placed among the bouquets read: “We stand united, no more hate, more love.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a “dark day in Australia’s history” and said his government would push for tougher gun laws. It has emerged that the older attacker held a firearms licence for recreational hunting, raising urgent questions about gun access and public safety.
Jewish leaders have spoken of fear and heartbreak, warning that the need for constant security at public Jewish gatherings signals a deeper failure in society. Muslim organisations across Australia have also strongly condemned the attack, stressing that antisemitism and violence threaten all Australians.
As investigations continue, Australia mourns lives lost, celebrates acts of courage, and faces renewed calls to confront hate, extremism and gun violence before more lives are taken.