There has been a major mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney targeting a Jewish community event. Authorities are treating it as a terrorist attack and there are multiple deaths and many injured.
What happened
Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah event called “Chanukah by the Sea” at Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular beaches. The gathering was a large public celebration marking the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Australian officials report that at least 11–12 people have been killed, including one of the attackers, and more than two dozen others have been injured, among them police officers. One suspected attacker was shot dead by police and another is in custody and in critical condition.
How authorities describe it
The Australian government and New South Wales authorities have classified the shooting as a terrorist attack. Leaders have said the attack specifically targeted Sydney’s Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah and have condemned it as an act of antisemitic violence.
Police say there is no ongoing active threat but have asked people to avoid the Bondi area while the investigation and security operations continue. Emergency and forensic teams are examining suspicious items, including at least one suspected improvised explosive device linked to a suspect’s vehicle.
Current situation and impact
Hospitals in Sydney are treating dozens of casualties, and officials warn that the death toll could change as critically injured patients are assessed. Mass shootings are very rare in Australia, so this incident is being described by local media and officials as one of the country’s worst acts of violence in decades.
Community and religious leaders are organizing support for victims’ families and the broader Jewish community, and large parts of Bondi remain cordoned off as a crime scene. National and state leaders have expressed shock and grief, emphasizing solidarity with Jewish Australians and those affected in Sydney.