On December 14, 2025, Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, usually a symbol of summer joy and celebration, became the scene of Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Two gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered for a Hanukkah celebration organized by Chabad of Bondi, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more in what authorities quickly declared a terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism and Islamic State (ISIS) ideology.
The Attack Unfolds
The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time in Archer Park adjacent to Bondi Beach, during the first night of Hanukkah. Approximately 1,000 people, including families and children, were attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, featuring a menorah lighting and festive activities.
Witnesses described a sudden barrage of gunfire as two men, armed with long-barreled weapons, arrived in a silver hatchback and began shooting indiscriminately. Panic ensued as people fled, hid behind cars, or sought cover. One gunman fired from a pedestrian bridge, while the other targeted the crowd directly.
In a moment of heroism captured on video, a bystander—identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim Syrian immigrant—tackled one of the shooters from behind, disarming him despite being shot in the process. Police arrived swiftly, engaging the gunmen in a shootout. The older assailant was killed by officers, while the younger was critically wounded and hospitalized.
By the end, 15 victims were dead, including a 10-year-old girl, a local rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor. At least 42 others were injured, with 22 still receiving hospital care as of December 16. Victims ranged in age from children to the elderly, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
The Suspects and Motive
Australian authorities identified the attackers as a father-and-son duo: Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid, who arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later became a permanent resident, was a licensed firearms owner with six registered guns and a member of a gun club. Naveed was Australian-born.
Police found homemade ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices in their vehicle. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the pair were inspired by ISIS ideology, describing the attack as “an act of pure evil” and targeted antisemitism. The younger suspect had been investigated by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019 for associations with an ISIS-linked cell but was not deemed an immediate threat.
Both men had traveled to the Philippines in November 2025, arriving in Manila and proceeding to Davao before returning weeks before the attack. Philippine authorities are cooperating with the investigation into the trip’s purpose.
No wider cell appears to have been involved, according to officials.
National Response and Gun Law Reforms
The attack has reignited debate over Australia’s gun laws, introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people and led to strict controls, including a buyback program. Mass shootings became rare, with none on this scale until now.
In a swift bipartisan response, the National Cabinet agreed to renegotiate the National Firearms Agreement. Proposed changes include limiting the number of firearms per individual, restricting licenses to Australian citizens, shortening license durations, and establishing a national firearms register. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns vowed to implement the “toughest gun laws in Australia,” citing failures in the licensing process that allowed the older suspect legal access to weapons.
Flags flew at half-staff nationwide, and memorials grew at Bondi Pavilion with flowers and candles. Sydney replaced Christmas lights with white ones in solidarity. Blood donations surged, with nearly 50,000 appointments recorded in the aftermath.
Rising Antisemitism and Broader Context
The shooting is the deadliest in a series of antisemitic incidents in Australia since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2023. Synagogues have been targeted with arson, Jewish businesses attacked, and community members assaulted. Jewish leaders expressed shock but noted warnings about escalating threats had gone unheeded.
International condemnation was swift. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a consequence of insufficient action against antisemitism. U.S. President Donald Trump labeled it a “purely antisemitic attack.” Leaders from the UK, New Zealand, and elsewhere expressed solidarity, with increased security at Jewish sites in neighboring countries.
As investigations continue, with charges expected against the surviving suspect once he recovers, Australia grapples with the profound impact on its multicultural society. The attack has “fundamentally changed” the nation, Jewish community leaders say, prompting calls for stronger measures against hate while highlighting stories of inter-community heroism amid tragedy.