Sydney Hanukkah Massacre: 16 Dead in Bondi Beach Terror Attack
Two gunmen launched a horrific Bondi Beach shooting on 14 December 2025. They targeted a Hanukkah celebration near Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion. The attack killed at least 16 people, including one shooter. It also injured 29 others, among them two police officers. Hundreds attended the “Chanukah by the Sea” event around 6:45 p.m. local time. Gunfire erupted from a nearby bridge. Witnesses first thought it was fireworks. However, up to 20 rounds rang out into the crowd. Emergency services rushed in fast. They transported victims to hospitals. Police killed one gunman on site. They arrested the second in critical condition.
Bondi Beach Shooting Timeline
The Bondi Beach shooting unfolded rapidly. Gunfire started at 6:47 p.m. near a children’s playground. Attackers fired from an elevated position. People fled in panic. They left belongings behind. Bomb squad later arrived. They found a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) in a shooter’s vehicle on Campbell Parade. Authorities removed it safely. Other suspicious items appeared too. As a result, police locked down the area. They continue operations nearby.
Victims in the Hanukkah Bondi Beach Shooting
Casualty numbers rose quickly in the Bondi Beach shooting. Reports confirm 12 dead at first. Later updates hit 16, including the killed shooter. Victims hailed from Sydney’s Jewish community. Chabad rabbi Eli Schl of Bondi died among them. The 29 injured faced serious wounds. Two officers took bullets. Families suffered most at the holiday start. No full list released yet. However, the toll stuns Australia.
Weapons and Explosives Used
Gunmen wielded semi-automatic rifles in the Bondi Beach shooting. One hunting rifle lay abandoned after a struggle. They discharged multiple rounds precisely. In addition, police discovered an IED in the vehicle. The bomb squad neutralised it on Campbell Parade. This raised fears of a larger plot. Authorities examine other items now.
Number of Attackers Confirmed
Police state two primary gunmen acted in the Bondi terror attack. One died from police fire: 24-year-old Naveed Akram. The second sits in custody, critically hurt. Yet, investigators probe accomplices. Some reports hint at a possible third. The inquiry remains complex.
Suspect Backgrounds Revealed
Naveed Akram led the Bondi Beach shooting. The 24-year-old lived in Sydney’s Bonnyrigg suburb. He held Pakistani roots, possibly from Lahore. Akram studied at Hamdard University in Islamabad. He worked as a bricklayer until job loss. Police raided his southwest Sydney home. The second suspect lacks a public name. He fights for life in hospital. Details stay limited for now.
Ahmed al Ahmed: The Bondi Beach Shooting Hero
Ahmed al Ahmed, reputed to be a local Australian Muslim without foreign nationality links, emerged as a standout in the Bondi Beach shooting. The 43-year-old father of two runs a fruit shop in Sutherland, Sydney. He spotted a gunman aiming. Ahmed approached from behind. He tackled the shooter and seized the rifle. He even turned it back before taking two bullets. Surgeons operated on him successfully. His cousin praised him: “He’s a hero, 100%.” Therefore, Ahmed saved lives amid chaos.
Investigation Progresses
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon spoke out. He called the Bondi Beach shooting an assault on Sydney’s Jews. Specific firearms traced back to attackers. ASIO head Mike Burgess assesses links. No group claimed responsibility yet. However, antisemitic incidents rose in Australia since 2023 Gaza events.
Official Reactions Worldwide
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the evil antisemitism. It struck the nation’s heart, he said. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns agreed. The target was clear: the Jewish community. World leaders joined in. King Charles spoke against hate. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and others denounced the vile terrorists.
Israeli Media Coverage on Bondi Beach Shooting
Times of Israel reported the Hanukkah attack Bondi as deadly. Jerusalem Post called it one of the worst on Jews outside Israel in decades. They highlighted the festival timing.
Mossad Warning Controversy
Controversy swirls around the Bondi terror attack. Israeli officials blame Australia’s government. President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cited ignored warnings. They mentioned “countless warning signs.” Mossad possibly shared intel on threats. This followed post-2023 Gaza tensions. Australian sources stay silent on Mossad specifics. Officials classify it terrorism without addressing claims. The debate grows as probe deepens.
Police urge public vigilance. They seek tips on the Bondi Beach shooting. Community leaders call for unity. Investigators work around the clock.
Stay tuned for updates as facts emerge.
