Gunmen Kill 15 People During Hanukkah Celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach

A shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach left 15 dead, including a child. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as antisemitic terrorism amid rising concerns over antisemitism in Australia.

During a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, two gunmen opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, including a child. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an antisemitic terrorist act that deeply affected the nation. The attack occurred amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia, although authorities have not linked this shooting to previous events.

One of the attackers, a 50-year-old man, was killed by police, while his 24-year-old son was injured and hospitalised. According to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, one of the shooters was known to security services, but there was no prior indication of an attack. The victims ranged from 10 to 87 years old, with at least 38 others injured.

Antisemitic Attacks Surge in Australia

Australia has seen a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since October 2023. These include assaults and vandalism following Hamas's attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent response. Last year, Sydney and Melbourne experienced antisemitic attacks, with synagogues and cars set ablaze and graffiti defacing properties. Prime Minister Albanese attributed some attacks to Iran and severed diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organiser of the event, was among those killed. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen but provided no further details. Emergency services responded around 6:45 pm after reports of gunfire. Videos showed beachgoers fleeing as shots were fired.

Witnesses Describe Chaos

Witnesses recounted the chaos as shots rang out during the Chanukah by the Sea event. Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer attending with his family, was grazed by a bullet. He expressed disbelief at such violence occurring in Australia. Lachlan Moran from Melbourne described people dropping their belongings and fleeing in panic.

Prime Minister Albanese called for national unity and support for Jewish Australians. King Charles III expressed shock and sadness over the attack, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared his horror on social media. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack and emphasised that antisemitism has no place globally.

Shooting Deaths Rare in Australia

Mass shootings are uncommon in Australia due to strict gun control laws enacted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Notable incidents since then include murder-suicides in 2014 and 2018 and a shootout involving police in Queensland in 2022. The Bondi Beach shooting is now one of the deadliest since these laws were implemented.

The violence unfolded as thousands enjoyed a summer day at Bondi Beach. Hundreds gathered for the Hanukkah event when shots were fired. Footage showed men firing from a footbridge leading to the beach. A bystander tackled one gunman and disarmed him, later identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, hailed as a hero by Premier Chris Minns.

Pastor Matt Graham noted rising antisemitism in Sydney's eastern suburbs, where many Jewish residents live. He expressed solidarity with Israel amid ongoing tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Australia's response to antisemitism and issued safety recommendations for Israelis abroad.

The investigation into this tragic event continues as authorities seek to understand the motives behind it. The community remains shaken by this unprecedented act of violence at one of Australia's most iconic locations.

With inputs from PTI