A festive Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was shattered by violence when two assailants opened fire on attendees, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and multiple injuries. The attack, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned as a deliberate act of terrorism and antisemitism, occurred on the first night of the Jewish festival of lights.
New South Wales police confirmed emergency services transported at least 29 wounded individuals to area hospitals following the shooting. The assailants were confronted at the scene, with one perpetrator killed during the incident and the other sustaining critical injuries. Authorities later discovered improvised explosive devices within a vehicle connected to the deceased attacker near the beachfront location.
Prime Minister Albanese addressed the nation, emphasizing the symbolic significance of targeting Jewish Australians during what should be a joyous religious observance. “This violent act strikes at the heart of our nation’s values,” Albanese stated. “An attack on Jewish Australians constitutes an attack on all Australians and our multicultural society.”
The Bondi Beach area, typically crowded with summer tourists and locals during the southern hemisphere’s peak holiday season, was transformed into an active crime scene as police secured the perimeter. Initial emergency responses began at approximately 6:47 PM local time following reports of gunfire at the “Hanukkah by the Sea” community event.
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the motivations behind the attack and potential connections to broader extremist networks. Security has been heightened at Jewish institutions nationwide as the community mourns the tragic loss of life.