标签： Oceania

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has personally visited Syrian-born fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, who is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds after confronting an armed assailant during Sydney’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996. The attack, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration event, has been officially declared a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community, resulting in at least 15 fatalities.

During his hospital visit, Prime Minister Albanese praised the 43-year-old father of two as embodying ‘the best of our country’ and ‘an inspiration for all Australians.’ Mr. Ahmed, who sustained serious shoulder injuries during his intervention, requires additional surgical treatment according to medical authorities.

Eyewitness footage captured the moment Mr. Ahmed emerged from behind a parked vehicle to physically engage the alleged attacker, successfully seizing the firearm and momentarily turning it against the assailant before demonstrating to approaching police that he was not among the perpetrators. His father later explained to media outlets that his son’s actions were motivated by profound human empathy upon witnessing ‘victims, blood, women and children lying on the street.’

The act of bravery has garnered international recognition, including commendation from former US President Donald Trump and a substantial financial contribution of nearly US$65,000 from an American billionaire who identified Mr. Ahmed as a ‘brave hero.’ Prime Minister Albanese characterized the intervention as ‘a shining example of human strength in the face of evil,’ emphasizing that Mr. Ahmed’s courage represents the resilience and compassion of the Australian spirit.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has issued a robust defense of police actions during the deadly shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed and dozens injured. The premier characterized the officers’ response as demonstrating exceptional “bravery and integrity” despite witness accounts questioning the timing of police intervention.

Minns revealed that two officers remain in critical care after sustaining frontal gunshot wounds during direct engagement with the assailants. “They weren’t shot in the back as they were running away. They were shot in the front,” Minns emphasized during sustained media questioning, rejecting what he termed “disrespectful” rush to judgment about police performance.

The attack unfolded at approximately 18:47 local time on Sunday when gunmen initiated a ten-minute shooting spree at the popular beachside location. Police ultimately neutralized both suspects, killing one and critically wounding the other.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon addressed operational considerations, explaining that police presence is determined by “the threat that exists at the time.” He noted that while the younger alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, had been known to security agencies since 2019 due to associations, no specific intelligence indicated imminent violent risk.

Security experts provided context for the challenging circumstances officers faced. Dr. Vincent Hurley, a policing lecturer and former officer, highlighted the inherent difficulties: “There’s no training that can be done for responding to a mass shooting event like that.” He described the scene as “absolute chaos” with thousands fleeing, noting that officers had to make split-second decisions without clear protocols about whether to assist victims or pursue attackers.

The incident has occurred within a heightened security context. Operation Shelter was established after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel to investigate antisemitic hate crimes, with regular patrols conducted in areas with significant Jewish populations like Bondi. A subsequent taskforce, Strike Force Pearl, was created to address broader hate crime investigations across Sydney.

The Bondi Pavilion, an iconic community and cultural hub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has been transformed into a sprawling memorial site following Saturday’s devastating attack. Hundreds of local residents and visitors have created a spontaneous sea of floral tributes and flickering candles along the pavilion’s exterior, honoring the 15 victims who lost their lives in the Bondi Junction stabbing incident.

This powerful display of communal grief has drawn international attention, with BBC News documenting the emotionally charged scene where well-wishers continue to arrive throughout the day. The makeshift memorial continues to grow as people place bouquets, handwritten notes, and personal mementos alongside the growing collection of tributes.

Community leaders have noted that the floral tribute represents more than just mourning—it symbolizes Sydney’s resilience and collective determination to stand united against violence. The Bondi Pavilion, typically associated with beachside leisure and cultural events, has temporarily become sacred ground for reflection and solidarity.

Local authorities have established designated areas for the memorial while ensuring public access to the site. Mental health support services have been made available nearby for those affected by the tragedy, with counselors noting the importance of such communal rituals in the healing process.

SYDNEY – In the aftermath of Sunday’s devastating attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney residents demonstrated extraordinary solidarity by forming lengthy queues at blood donation centers across the city. The response came as authorities confirmed multiple casualties from the shooting incident that disrupted a Jewish community celebration.

The tragedy unfolded during ‘Chanukah by the Sea,’ an event marking the beginning of Hanukkah festivities. Witnesses described a peaceful gathering that turned to chaos when attackers opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the celebration. Barry, a father who escaped with his children, recounted the moment: ‘We dropped to the ground as gunshots rang out. I saw shooters on the bridge firing into the crowd – it was pandemonium and chaos.’

Emergency services responded immediately, establishing security cordons and evacuating the area. Police later discovered a vehicle containing improvised explosive devices near the scene, heightening security concerns.

The following day, Bondi Beach stood unusually quiet as residents processed the trauma. At the police perimeter, anxious crowds gathered seeking information about loved ones. One distressed woman told reporters, ‘My daughter’s at the surf club just over there, and I can’t contact her.’

Community response quickly transformed into acts of healing and remembrance. An impromptu memorial emerged outside a local primary school, featuring floral tributes, Australian flags, and messages of unity. By evening, hundreds gathered at Bondi Pavilion for a moving candlelight vigil organized by Jewish community leaders.

Rabbi Yossi Shuchat addressed the somber crowd with a message of resilience: ‘Darkness has no power where light arrives. We implore everyone to be that light in their surroundings.’ The ceremony featured traditional Jewish songs and culminated in a spontaneous rendition of Australia’s national anthem.

Despite the tragedy, the community’s response highlighted Bondi’s strong social fabric. American residents who witnessed the attack noted the contrast between Australia’s reputation for safety and the shocking violence. ‘What appealed to us most about the Australian lifestyle is that sense of security and community,’ said Brooke Schlesinger, a local resident.

However, concerns about potential backlash and rising tensions emerged within the multicultural community. Some Jewish residents expressed fears about increased vulnerability following recent antisemitic incidents across the country.

As investigations continue, Sydney’s healthcare authorities have appealed for sustained blood donations, emphasizing that the need for medical resources will continue in the coming weeks.

A serene Saturday afternoon at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was shattered by an unprecedented act of violence, with the entire horrific incident captured in a chilling eleven-minute visual record. BBC Verify has undertaken a comprehensive forensic analysis of dozens of videos from eyewitnesses and security cameras, piecing together a detailed timeline of the attack that transformed a popular shopping precinct into a scene of terror and tragedy.

The investigation reveals the rapid escalation from normalcy to chaos, documenting the assailant’s movements through the crowded Westfield shopping centre. The video evidence provides critical insights into the timeline of the attack, the responses of both civilians and first responders, and the moments when ordinary shoppers became either victims or heroes. This visual documentation has become essential for law enforcement agencies seeking to understand the full sequence of events and the effectiveness of the emergency response.

Beyond the immediate forensic value, the footage captures profound human moments—both acts of incredible bravery as individuals risked their lives to help others, and the raw terror of those caught in the attack. The video analysis also examines the weapon used, the patterns of movement through the complex building layout, and how information spread through the crowd in real-time, contributing to both the chaos and the lifesaving responses that followed.

In a horrific attack that has sent shockwaves through global Jewish communities, two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing fifteen people including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. The assault occurred Sunday evening as approximately 1,000 attendees gathered for the public event organized by Chabad of Bondi.

UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis revealed his cousin and cousin’s wife survived by hiding beneath a doughnut stand during fifteen minutes of terror as people around them were shot dead. Rabbi Mirvis, who will travel to Sydney in response to the tragedy, emphasized that the victims were targeted solely for gathering publicly as Jewish people.

The attackers have been identified by Australian media as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who died at the scene, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, currently hospitalized in critical condition. Verified footage shows hundreds of panicked attendees fleeing the beach as volleys of gunshots rang out.

Rabbi Mirvis connected the violence to what he termed ‘toxic antisemitism,’ specifically criticizing the normalization of rhetoric that demonizes Jewish people and the only Jewish state. He pointed to chants like ‘globalize the intifada’ as directly inciting hatred that manifests in violent actions.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which arranges security for UK Jewish communities, reported record levels of anti-Jewish hate crimes following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. CST’s head of policy Dave Rich noted the Bondi attack represents ‘the extreme end of this political spectrum,’ drawing connections between violent rhetoric and physical violence.

In a show of solidarity, UK Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones traveled to Manchester to celebrate Hanukkah with survivors of September’s Heaton Park synagogue attack that left two Jewish victims dead. She emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring Jewish communities can safely observe their traditions.

The tragedy occurred during Hanukkah, which commemorates Jewish defiance against religious persecution over 2,150 years ago. Rabbi Mirvis noted the bitter irony that the festival’s message of refusing to be intimidated or erased was met with ‘murderous hatred’ in Sydney.