Sydney was left reeling Sunday after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a public Hanukkah celebration was declared a terrorist incident by authorities, following an attack that left at least 12 people dead and dozens more injured. Police say the violence deliberately targeted members of the Jewish community, transforming a festive beachfront gathering into one of the most traumatic scenes Australia has witnessed in decades.
The shooting unfolded during the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, held to mark the first night of Hanukkah and attended by more than 1,000 people, including families and children. According to investigators, gunfire erupted shortly after nightfall when two assailants allegedly opened fire from an elevated footbridge overlooking the crowd. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as attendees fled in all directions, seeking cover along the shoreline, nearby streets, and surrounding buildings.
Emergency services were dispatched within minutes. Paramedics treated victims on the sand and footpaths while police officers moved to secure the area and locate the shooters. Hospitals across Sydney were placed on emergency footing as the injured—some with life-threatening wounds—were transported for urgent care. Among those hurt were two police officers and a child, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack, authorities said.
Police confirmed that at least 11 civilians died at the scene. One additional victim later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to at least 12. Among the deceased was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and one of the organizers of the event. His death has sent shockwaves through Sydney’s Jewish community, where he was widely known for his outreach work and leadership. Authorities also confirmed that one of the victims was an Israeli national.
Law enforcement officials said two suspects were involved. One gunman was shot and killed by responding officers, while a second suspect was taken into custody in critical condition after being subdued at the scene. A police source identified one of the alleged attackers as a 24-year-old man from western Sydney. During subsequent searches, investigators discovered improvised explosive devices inside a vehicle linked to the deceased suspect. Bomb disposal specialists were called in to safely neutralize the devices, preventing what authorities said could have resulted in even greater loss of life.
Australia’s political leaders swiftly condemned the attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as an “act of evil antisemitism” and said it struck at the core of Australia’s values of tolerance and multiculturalism. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the bravery of a bystander who was seen in video footage tackling and helping to disarm one of the attackers amid the chaos, calling the individual a “genuine hero” whose actions may have saved lives.
Mass shootings are exceedingly rare in Australia, where strict gun control measures have been in place since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Officials and analysts said the Bondi Beach attack is being regarded as the deadliest mass shooting in the country in nearly three decades, a fact that has reignited national debate around extremism, public safety, and the protection of faith-based communities.
As the investigation continues, counterterrorism officers are working to determine the full motive behind the attack and whether others were involved. Authorities have increased security at religious sites across New South Wales as a precaution. Vigils and memorials are being organized across Sydney, with community leaders urging unity, compassion, and resilience in the face of hatred.
“This was an attack not just on one community, but on all Australians,” one community leader said. “Our response must be to stand together.”