Mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach
during Hanukkah celebration kills at least 11, injures many; authorities call
it a terrorist attack on Jewish community.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — At least 11 people
were killed and 29 others wounded on Sunday evening in a mass shooting at Bondi
Beach, Sydney, during a Jewish Hanukkah event, with police declaring the
incident a terrorist attack targeting the city’s Jewish community and one
alleged shooter killed by officers while another was taken into custody in
critical condition.
The Shooting and Immediate Response
Police in New South Wales responded to
reports of gunfire at Archer Park near Bondi Beach at about 6:47 p.m. local
time as crowds gathered for a Hanukkah celebration dubbed “Chanukah by the
Sea.”
Witnesses and publicly shared footage
showed two armed men dressed in black firing from a pedestrian bridge
overlooking the beach, causing panic and mass flight among attendees and nearby
visitors.
Emergency services treated wounded
victims on site and transported them to hospitals; among the injured were at
least two police officers and at least one child.
Casualties and Suspects
Authorities confirmed at least 11
fatalities, a figure that may be updated as investigations continue, and 29
injuries.
One suspected gunman was fatally shot by
police at the scene, while a second alleged attacker was critically wounded and
taken into custody. Police were also examining the possibility of a third
assailant and checking suspicious items found nearby, including improvised
explosive devices.
Significance and Official Classification
The New South Wales Government
designated the incident a terrorist attack, stating it was “designed to target
Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese condemned the shooting as an act of “evil antisemitism,” marking one
of the country’s deadliest shootings in recent history and a severe escalation
of hate-motivated violence.
Background and Context
Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most
famous public destinations, typically busy with tourists and locals, and the
Jewish community in Sydney is among the largest in the country.
Mass shootings are rare in Australia,
where strict gun laws were enacted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The
attack occurred amid heightened concerns over antisemitic incidents linked to
global tensions and domestic security alerts.
Reactions and Official Statements
Political leaders expressed shock and
solidarity with victims. Prime Minister Albanese said the violence struck at
values of unity and safety, while Premier Chris Minns labelled the attack a
“cowardly, terrifying act” against innocent families.
Australian Muslim organisations,
including the Australian National Imams Council, strongly condemned the attack
and called for unity and compassion across communities.
International responses included
statements from Israeli officials noting the targeting of Jewish worshippers
and urging vigilance against rising antisemitism.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Police have cordoned off the Bondi
precinct for evidence gathering and forensic work, warning the public to avoid
the area while operations continue. Authorities are interviewing witnesses,
reviewing video evidence, and pursuing leads on the attackers’ motives and
affiliations.
officials have also pledged increased
protective measures for vulnerable community events and enhanced cooperation
between local and national security agencies.
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Editorial Credits
Author: Sofia Martinez, Global News
Editor
Editor-in-Chief: Maria Perez