SYDNEY — What was meant to be a joyful first night of Hanukkah at the famed Bondi Beach turned into one of Australia’s darkest moments on Sunday evening, as gunfire erupted near the Chanukah by the Sea celebration, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens more wounded in what authorities are calling an act of antisemitic terrorism targeting the Jewish community.
The festive shoreline was packed with families, tourists and locals by around 6:40 p.m. local time when two gunmen in dark clothing began firing indiscriminately toward the crowd from an elevated footbridge near Campbell Parade. Witnesses described a sudden barrage of shots, screams and chaos as thousands scattered across the sand and into the surf in a desperate attempt to escape.
Among the frantic scenes, one image of courage stands out: 43-year-old Sydney father and fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, who rushed toward one of the armed attackers, wrestling the rifle from his hands amid the chaos. That moment, captured in widely shared video, showed him disarm and confront the gunman before being struck by gunfire himself — injuries that hospital staff say he is expected to recover from. Local and national leaders have praised his actions, crediting them with saving lives.
New South Wales Police engaged the assailants, fatally shooting one at the scene and taking the second into custody in critical condition. Law enforcement later discovered and defused suspected improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the attackers, amplifying concerns that the incident could have been even more devastating. Authorities have declared the shooting a terrorist incident driven by hate and specifically aimed at the Jewish community.
The confirmed victims include men, women, and children, with one Israeli citizen among the dead and others treated for gunshot wounds at hospitals across Sydney. Among the fallen is Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a beloved Chabad of Bondi leader and organizer of the event, whose loss has sent ripples of grief through both local and international Jewish communities.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a “shocking and distressing act of antisemitic terror,” pledging full support for the victims and their families while promising a thorough investigation. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed those sentiments, calling the violence a targeted assault on the Jewish community during a sacred holiday. World leaders, including Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, have condemned the carnage and offered condolences.
Bondi Beach had long been a symbol of sunlit summer afternoons and multicultural celebration. On this night, however, it became the backdrop for fear and heartbreak. As police continue to comb through evidence and warn the public to stay vigilant, Sydney’s tight-knit communities are left grappling with loss, mourning the dead, and trying to make sense of how an event meant to honor light and unity was shattered by such darkness.
