Australia confronts a targeted act of antisemitic terror . A night of celebration turns into a scene of horror
Australia was plunged into grief and shock on Sunday night after a mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach left at least ten people dead and dozens injured during a Jewish Chanukkah celebration.
The attack occurred shortly before 7pm during Chanukah by the Sea, a family-focused community event marking the first night of the Jewish festival of lights. What began as a peaceful gathering of families, children and community leaders quickly descended into chaos as two gunmen opened fire near Bondi Beach Park.
Among the dead are children, community members, a police officer, and one of the attackers. A second gunman remains in hospital under police guard after being critically wounded during the confrontation.
Authorities have confirmed the attack was targeted and ideologically motivated, triggering a major counter-terrorism investigation and nationwide security response.
Witnesses describe “pure evil” as gunfire erupts
Eyewitnesses described scenes of absolute terror as gunshots rang out across the crowded beachfront, which was also hosting Christmas markets at the time.
Parents grabbed children and ran. Others hid behind cars, inside nearby homes, or under beach structures. Several witnesses said they initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks or car backfires before screams of “shooter” tore through the crowd.
One witness told reporters the gunmen appeared calm and deliberate, reloading multiple times. Others described seeing ammunition scattered across the ground and victims collapsing as people fled in panic.
Mobile phone and drone footage later revealed the gunmen firing from an elevated position near a pedestrian bridge, wearing ammunition belts and carrying multiple firearms, including shotguns and semi-automatic weapons.
In one extraordinary moment, a bystander is seen charging one of the attackers, wrestling a shotgun away from him while the second gunman continued firing. Police have credited the intervention with saving lives.
Children and a rabbi among the victims
Authorities confirmed that children were among both the dead and injured, underscoring the brutality of the attack. A rabbi attending the event was also shot, along with several families who had gathered specifically for the Chanukkah celebration.
More than 25 people were transported to hospitals across Sydney, including children treated at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Two police officers were also wounded while responding to the incident.
NSW Police established a wide exclusion zone across Bondi and neighbouring suburbs as specialist units searched for secondary threats. Reports of a suspected improvised explosive device near a pedestrian bridge prompted heightened security measures, though investigations remain ongoing.
Prime Minister: “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting in the strongest possible terms, labelling it an “act of evil antisemitism” and a “targeted terrorist attack on Jewish Australians”.
“This is an attack on every Australian,” the Prime Minister said.
“These scenes are shocking and distressing. This was a peaceful religious celebration, and it was deliberately targeted with hate.”
Mr Albanese said he had convened the National Security Committee and spoken directly with the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier. He pledged that “every resource required” would be deployed to protect the community and bring those responsible to justice.
Addressing Australia’s Jewish community directly, he said:
“We stand with you. We embrace you. You have the right to live, worship and celebrate in peace and safety.”
Praise for first responders and civilian heroes
The Prime Minister and NSW authorities paid tribute to police, paramedics and ordinary Australians who ran towards danger rather than away from it.
NSW Ambulance deployed more than 26 emergency resources, including helicopters, intensive care paramedics and specialist operations teams.
“These Australians are heroes,” Mr Albanese said. “Their bravery saved lives.”
NSW Police confirmed officers engaged the gunmen within minutes, killing one attacker and preventing further bloodshed.
Political and international condemnation
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the attack as “deeply distressing” and urged the public to rely on official police information.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the nation was in mourning, describing the shooting as “hateful violence” directed at a community gathered in peace.
International reaction was swift. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack as a “vile act of terror against Jews”, while foreign ministers and community leaders worldwide expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
Australian Muslim organisations, including the Australian National Imams Council, issued a joint statement unequivocally condemning the violence and calling for unity, compassion and social harmony.
A nation reckons with hate and security
As Bondi Beach remained sealed off late into the night, the tragedy reignited urgent national conversations about antisemitism, extremism, and the protection of religious and cultural communities in public spaces.
Police investigations into the attackers’ motives, movements, and potential accomplices are ongoing, with counter-terrorism units leading the inquiry.
For Australia, the attack marks one of the deadliest acts of targeted violence in recent memory — and a profound challenge to the country’s sense of safety, unity and multicultural coexistence.
