There has been a major terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a large Hanukkah event. The situation is still evolving and authorities are treating it as a targeted attack on the Jewish community, with national mourning declared across Australia.
What happened
A mass shooting took place on the evening of 14 December 2025 at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach’s Archer Park area, where hundreds of people had gathered. New South Wales Police and government officials have described the incident as a terrorist attack and an antisemitic assault on a Jewish community event.
Casualties and victims
Reports from officials indicate that at least a dozen people were killed initially, with later updates putting the death toll in the mid-teens and several dozen more injured, including children and police officers. Ages of those killed span from about 10 years old to elderly victims, and among the dead are community figures such as rabbis and at least one Holocaust survivor.
Suspects and police response
Authorities say two attackers, a father and son, carried out the shooting from an area near a small bridge by the park and car park. One of the gunmen was shot dead by police at the scene and the other was seriously injured and taken into custody under guard; police state there is no ongoing active threat but continue investigating possible links or additional accomplices.
Acts of bravery
A bystander, identified in multiple reports as Ahmed (also reported as Ahmed Al or Al Ahmed), confronted one of the gunmen at close range and managed to wrestle away his weapon despite being shot, and officials say this likely prevented additional loss of life. Video verified by news outlets shows this civilian disarming the attacker, placing the weapon down, and raising his hands to signal to police while the incident was still unfolding.
National reaction
Australian leaders have condemned the attack as “evil” and pledged to use all necessary resources to support victims, investigate the attack, and review security and gun laws. As a mark of national mourning and respect, flags across Australia have been ordered to fly at half‑mast to honour those killed at Bondi Beach.
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