Bondi Beach mass shooting leaves 16 dead in targeted Hanukkah attack
A terrorist shooting during a Hanukkah event in Sydney's Bondi Beach has left 16 people dead, including a child, and 40 injured. Authorities say the attack targeted the Jewish community. One attacker was killed, while a second remains in critical condition.
- Sixteen people, including a child, were killed in a mass shooting during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach.
- Police identified the incident as a terrorist attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community.
- A bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, is hailed as a hero after disarming one of the shooters.
Authorities have confirmed that 16 people, including a child, were killed and 40 others hospitalised after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, during a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December, 2025.
New South Wales Police announced the death toll on Monday morning, stating the shooting is being investigated as a terrorist incident targeting the city’s Jewish community.
The attack occurred near the beachfront as more than 1,000 people gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah.
Two gunmen were involved in the attack. One was shot and killed at the scene, while the second suspect is in critical condition in hospital.
In a statement on social media, police said, “Bondi Beach and surrounding roads in the Bondi area will be closed today as investigators continue to work through the crime scene.”
New South Wales Police have confirmed that Bondi Beach and surrounding roads will remain closed on Monday as investigations continue at the scene of Sunday’s mass shooting, according to local media.
Reports also state that drones and other aircraft will be prohibited from flying over the crime scene.
Attack labelled terrorism, Jewish community targeted
Authorities have described the incident as a deliberate and targeted assault on Sydney’s Jewish community. The event location had been hosting families and community members gathered for religious celebrations.
“The attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” officials said.
The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which killed 35 people and led to sweeping gun law reforms.
Victims and bravery in the face of terror
Among the 16 confirmed victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a British-born father of five, who had been actively involved in Sydney’s Jewish community.
Another victim, identified by relatives as Ahmed al Ahmed, was hospitalised after he tackled and disarmed one of the shooters.
Video footage shared widely on social media shows the 43-year-old approaching an armed suspect from behind, wrestling a rifle from his grip, and then pointing it back at the shooter before placing it on the ground.
Al Ahmed, who owns a fruit business in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, was struck by two bullets in the process. He is undergoing surgery at St George Hospital.
His cousin, identified only as Mustafa, told 7NEWS Australia: “He is in hospital, and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside. He’s a hero, 100 percent.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the act as “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen,” noting that Al Ahmed’s actions likely saved many lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also commended him and others who “ran towards danger in order to help others”.
International condemnation and global solidarity
The attack has drawn swift and widespread condemnation from global leaders and institutions.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the attack as “heinous” and said he was “horrified” by the targeting of Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “deeply distressing,” while New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon expressed his shock and described the event as “distressing scenes at Bondi.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz all issued strong statements condemning anti-Semitic violence.
The Palestinian Authority also released a statement rejecting “all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism,” and expressed solidarity with Australia.
Global Hanukkah security heightened
Following the attack, cities around the world have heightened security around Hanukkah celebrations and Jewish community spaces.
In Berlin, police increased security at the Brandenburg Gate, where a large menorah was being lit.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced additional protection for synagogues and public Hanukkah events.
In London, the Metropolitan Police increased patrols and began engaging with the Jewish community, although they noted there was no known link between the Bondi incident and threats in the UK.
A rare mass shooting in Australia
Mass shootings remain rare in Australia, largely due to the country’s strict gun laws implemented after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Semi-automatic and rapid-fire weapons are banned, and gun ownership is heavily regulated.
This incident is likely to reignite discussions around extremism and the effectiveness of domestic counter-terrorism strategies.
Prime Minister Albanese declared: “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians.” He pledged unity, protection for vulnerable communities, and an intensified crackdown on hate crimes.
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