Premier Chris Minns of New South Wales said police quickly classified the shooting as a “terrorism event.” He added that evidence collected on-site indicated the attack was planned to strike the Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed that assessment, describing the assault as “an act of evil antisemitism.”
The attack and immediate response
Witness statements and video material show the assailants, dressed in black clothing, advancing along a pedestrian bridge before firing multiple rounds toward participants gathered for a public menorah lighting. In one clip, a bystander crouched behind a parked vehicle lunges forward, tackles one gunman, and wrests away a firearm. Police later confirmed the civilian was injured during the confrontation and transported to hospital for treatment.
Security personnel evacuated hundreds from the sand and surrounding streets while tactical units swept kiosks, restaurants, and parking areas for additional threats. The beach precinct remained cordoned off for several hours as forensic teams gathered shell casings and electronic devices.
Casualties and victims identified
Event organizers from Chabad of Bondi stated that 15 attendees were fatally shot. Among the dead is Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi who helped coordinate the annual “Chanukah by the Sea” program. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam was also killed.
Emergency services treated 42 injured individuals. Earlier in the evening police had reported 29 injuries, a figure later revised upward when additional patients sought medical care. Two responding officers are among those hurt.
Government reaction and investigation
Prime Minister Albanese said he is in close contact with state leaders and federal agencies as the investigation unfolds. He urged residents to heed police instructions and avoid the Bondi area until it is declared secure. FBI Director Kash Patel said U.S. officials are coordinating with Australian counterparts, stressing that a “massive, complex investigation” is under way.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley called the shooting “hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community,” while Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the assault as a terrorist act against Jews celebrating a religious holiday.
Imagem: Internet
Authorities have not yet released details about the suspects’ identities, motives, or possible affiliations. Detectives are examining social media posts, phone records, and financial transactions in search of evidence pointing to planning or external support. Under Australia’s counter-terrorism framework, federal and state agencies share intelligence through the Joint Counter Terrorism Team, a model outlined by the Department of Home Affairs.
Security implications
Bondi Beach, famous for surfing and tourism, rarely witnesses large-scale violence. Sunday’s incident is the deadliest shooting in Australia since gun laws were strengthened after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The attack also comes amid heightened global concern over antisemitic violence, with Jewish institutions in several countries increasing security for Hanukkah events.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said officers will remain on heightened alert across Sydney, particularly at synagogues, community centers, and public holiday gatherings. Additional patrols and rapid-response units are being deployed as a precaution.
Premier Minns noted that investigators are still compiling an exact timeline and sequence of events. “This is a complex scene that spans multiple locations along the beachfront,” he said, adding that specialized forensic teams are expected to work through the night.
Community response
Local Jewish organizations have organized counseling services for survivors and families of the victims. The Australian Jewish Association urged the public to “pray for the Australian Jewish community” and encouraged donors to support blood drives at area hospitals treating the wounded.
Bondi Beach remains closed to the public while police finish their investigation and debris removal. Authorities have not indicated when the area will reopen.
Crédito da imagem: David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
