A Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney ended in tragedy on Sunday. Two gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a large crowd gathered near the beach. Local media said around 1,000 to 2,000 people were attending the celebration.

At least 12 people died in the shooting. Several others suffered injuries. New South Wales Police said officers took two suspects into custody. Police killed one gunman during a shootout. Officers shot and arrested the second attacker.

Witnesses and police said the attackers fired more than 50 shots. Panic spread quickly along the beachfront. People ran for safety or hid inside nearby buildings.

Global Leaders Condemn the Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the shooting. He said he had earlier warned Australia’s leadership that backing Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the scenes “shocking and distressing.” He said: “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attack as “vile.” He said:
“…Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach…Our hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the violence. He called it a “ghastly terrorist attack.” He wrote on X: “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.”

Suspect Identified, Terror Angle Probed

Authorities identified one of the attackers as 24-year-old Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west. Investigators are examining whether the attack had a terror motive.

Police are checking Akram’s immigration status, family background, and any overseas links. He studied at the Al-Murad Institute in Heckenberg, New South Wales. The institute teaches Arabic and the Quran.

Security agencies raided his home. They searched for signs of online radicalisation. Investigators are also reviewing extremist material and Gaza-related narratives.

Area Locked Down as Operation Continues

Security officials said Bonnyrigg and nearby suburbs have appeared in past counter-terrorism exercises. Authorities flagged these areas earlier due to radicalisation cases, extremist returnees, and online extremist activity.

Police locked down parts of the area after the attack. They urged residents to stay away. NSW Police wrote on X: “The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area… Anyone at the scene should take shelter.”

Videos Show Chaos at Bondi Beach

Videos shared online showed the chaos during the shooting. One clip captured a gunman firing from a bridge as people screamed, “They are shooting, get down, get down.”

Other footage showed crowds running in different directions. Emergency workers rushed in to help the wounded. One widely shared video showed an unarmed bystander confronting and overpowering one of the attackers.

Investigators Examine Ideological Motives

Intelligence officials believe the attackers deliberately targeted a religious gathering. The choice of a Hanukkah event gave the attack symbolic meaning and high visibility.

Investigators said the attack showed signs of a terrorist or ideologically driven assault. They cited the use of two attackers, coordinated clothing, and heavy gunfire. Authorities are reviewing digital records, overseas contacts, and signs of radicalisation.

Antisemitism Concerns and Strong Criticism

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents in the 12 months leading up to October 1. Community Security Groups and Jewish organisations recorded these cases.

Israeli officials accused Australian authorities of ignoring earlier warnings. Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli wrote on X:
“A government that normalised boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalised marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also condemned the attack. She called it “an abomination” and wrote on X:
“Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didn’t do more?”