Sydney, Monday December 15, 2025
A deadly terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish Chanukah by the Sea celebration has left at least 16 people dead and 42 injured, in what New South Wales Police have officially declared an antisemitic act of terrorism. The shooting, which erupted on Sunday night near Campbell Parade, targeted hundreds of people gathered for the first night of the Hanukkah festival, prompting national and international shock.
Deadly rampage at festive gathering
At approximately 6:47pm AEDT on Sunday, two armed men opened fire on the crowd from an overpass overlooking the popular beachside event, police confirmed. Witnesses described chaos as people scattered in panic, seeking shelter behind vehicles, up Campbell Parade and into nearby buildings to escape the hail of bullets.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, establishing a large exclusion zone and urging the public to avoid the Bondi area as the incident unfolded.
Casualties: families, children, leaders among the dead
Authorities said 16 people were killed, including at least one of the shooters, and 42 others were wounded — among them at least two police officers and multiple children. Victims’ ages reportedly ranged from young children to older adults.
Among those killed were community leaders including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a long-time organiser of the Bondi Jewish community’s events, and Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who was reportedly shot while shielding his wife. An Israeli national was also confirmed among the dead, and foreign ministers named additional victims in comments on social media.
The suspects: father and son identified
Police have identified one of the suspects as Naveed Akram, a man from Sydney’s southwest whose home in Bonnyrigg was raided following the shooting. A senior law enforcement official said Akram was not on police radars as a known threat before the attack.
Officials suggest the two attackers may have been father and son, aged in their 50s and 20s, though formal identities for both have not yet been released by authorities. One shooter was killed by police on site, while the second was critically injured and taken into custody.
Police also found what they believe were two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the scene and safely removed them. A suspect-linked vehicle containing additional suspicious devices was later examined by bomb disposal teams.
Heroic civilian action during the attack
Amid the unfolding horror, dramatic footage shared widely shows a bystander approaching one of the gunmen and wrestling the weapon from his hands — an act of bravery later credited with saving lives. The man, identified as local Ahmed al-Ahmed, was reportedly injured in the exchange and is stable in hospital.
National leaders condemn the attack
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as an “act of evil antisemitism” that struck at the heart of Australian society. He said the attack was deliberately targeted at Jewish Australians celebrating Hanukkah, and he convened national security agencies to coordinate the response.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” Mr Albanese said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the scenes as “deeply distressing,” and called for people to cooperate with police and avoid speculation while investigations continue.
International reaction and support
International leaders swiftly condemned the attack. Israel’s government expressed grief over the loss of its citizen and pledged support for Australian authorities. World leaders, including those from Europe and North America, reiterated solidarity against antisemitism and terrorism.
Aftermath: security, community response, and inquiry
Bondi Beach remained closed Monday as forensic experts continued to examine the crime scene and police pursued further investigative leads. Community vigils and prayer gatherings were announced across Sydney and cities nationwide as residents mourned the victims.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and counter-terrorism officials reiterated that the incident remains an active investigation and urged the public to adhere to official guidance.
