At least 11 people were killed after gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday gathering at Australia’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, in what authorities believe was a deliberately targeted antisemitic attack.
Police confirmed that one of the suspected attackers was shot dead at the scene, while another was taken to hospital in critical condition. Investigators are also examining the possibility that a third individual may have been involved. Nearly 30 people, including two police officers, were injured and transported to hospitals across Sydney.
Officials said the death toll could have been significantly higher if not for the courageous actions of a civilian who intervened during the attack. The man, identified by Australian media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed Al-Ahmed, was captured on video running toward an armed suspect, wrestling a rifle from him and stopping further gunfire.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the man’s bravery, calling him a “true hero” and crediting his actions with saving many lives. Senior police officials confirmed that bomb disposal teams were deployed after several suspicious explosive devices were discovered near the scene.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency meeting of the national security council and strongly condemned the violence, describing the attack as an act of evil that defied understanding. He said the incident targeted Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah — a time meant for peace, faith and celebration.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire echoed across the crowded beach, which was packed due to warm weather and the public event. Many attendees fled barefoot, abandoning personal belongings as they ran for safety through nearby streets and parks.
Authorities estimate around 1,000 people were present at the Hanukkah gathering when the shooting began. Some witnesses reported hearing dozens of shots over a period of several minutes, while others said confusion initially delayed people from realising the seriousness of the situation.
The attack comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in late 2023. Jewish community leaders expressed shock, saying the scale and nature of the violence was unprecedented in the country.
Australia is home to approximately 150,000 Jewish residents, many of whom live in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, including Bondi. Mass shootings are extremely rare in the country, and officials described Sunday’s incident as the deadliest gun attack in Australia in decades.
World leaders, including officials from the United States and Israel, condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims, the Jewish community and the people of Australia. Muslim leaders within Australia also denounced the attack, stating that violence and hatred have no place in society.
Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to determine the full motive and any possible links connected to the attackers.