SYDNEY — The golden sands of Bondi Beach, usually a global symbol of leisure and joy, have been transformed into a crime scene of "unimaginable horror" after a targeted terrorist attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration left at least 16 people dead and dozens injured.
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| Israeli intelligence said the planning of the attack by Naveed Akram and another gunman bore the hallmarks of Iranian involvement |
The attack, which took place on Sunday evening as the sun set over the first night of the Festival of Lights, has sent shockwaves through Australia and the international community.
The Attack: "Hanukkah by the Sea" Turns to Tragedy
More than 1,000 people had gathered for the "Hanukkah by the Sea" event, a family-friendly celebration organized to mark the beginning of the holiday. According to New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, chaos erupted when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd using "long arms" high-powered rifles or shotguns.
By Monday morning, the full scale of the devastation began to emerge.
The Toll: NSW Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed the death toll had risen overnight from 12 to 16 victims.
The Victims: Among the dead are a 12-year-old child and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a beloved figure in the community and a key organizer of the event.
The Injured: Another 40 people remain hospitalized, including two police officers and three children.
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| Emergency workers transport a person by stretcher from the scene of the Bondi Beach attack. / Credit: Mark Baker / AP |
"What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity," Minister Park said, describing the scene as "absolutely horrendous."
The Perpetrators: A Father and Son
In a chilling development, police identified the attackers as a father-son duo.
The Son: Identified as Naveed Akram, a 24-year-old Pakistani national based in Sydney. He is currently hospitalized in serious condition under heavy police guard.
The Father: A 50-year-old man who was shot and killed by police at the scene.
Authorities are treating this as a verified terrorist incident. Compounding the terror, Police Commissioner Lanyon revealed that a vehicle on Campbell Parade, running parallel to the beach, was found containing several improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A bomb disposal crew has since secured the area.
A Hero Emerges: The Fruit Shop Owner
Amidst the carnage, a story of extraordinary bravery has surfaced. Video footage from the scene shows a bystander—identified by relatives as Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner—confronting one of the gunmen.
In the video, Al Ahmed is seen jumping from behind a parked car, tackling the suspect just moments after he fired his weapon. A struggle ensued, ending with Al Ahmed disarming the shooter and pinning him to the ground. NSW Premier Chris Minns hailed Al Ahmed as a "genuine hero," noting that his actions likely saved countless lives.
"An Act of Pure Evil": Global Condemnation
The specific targeting of a Jewish religious gathering has drawn fierce condemnation from world leaders.
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| Naveed Akram. one of the alleged shooters |
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not mince words, calling the shooting a "targeted attack on Jewish Australians."
"What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location... associated with joy, associated with families gathering."
King Charles III issued a statement expressing that he and Queen Camilla were "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack," urging that the Australian "spirit of community... will always triumph over the darkness."
Internationally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a strong statement condemning the violence:
"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world."
A Nation on Edge
This tragedy strikes at a time of heightened tension. While mass shootings are historically rare in Australia due to strict gun control laws enacted in the 1990s, the country has seen a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents following the onset of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
Despite the appointment of special government envoys to combat hate speech, the violence at Bondi Beach represents a catastrophic escalation. As flowers begin to pile up near the cordon at Campbell Parade, a nation known for its multicultural harmony now faces the difficult task of healing from an act designed to divide it.