Terror attack shatters Hanukkah Celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 12

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A festive Hanukkah event at one of Australia’s most iconic locations turned into a scene of horror on Sunday when gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 29 others in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

The terror attack occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time near the Bondi Pavilion, where hundreds, possibly over 1,000, had assembled for a “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration organized by the local Chabad group.

Families, including children, were enjoying music, a menorah lighting, and holiday activities on the warm summer evening when at least two gunmen unleashed terror, shooting into the crowd with long-arm firearms.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that 12 people were killed in the terror attack, including one of the alleged shooters who was fatally shot during the incident.

A second suspected gunman was taken into custody in critical condition, while police continue to investigate the possibility of a third attacker. Among the 29 injured taken to hospitals were two police officers.

In a dramatic moment captured on video, a bystander tackled one of the gunmen, wrestling a weapon away and potentially saving lives.

NSW Premier Chris Minns praised the individual as a “genuine hero” whose quick actions ensured “many people are alive tonight.”

Authorities also discovered several improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the scene on Campbell Parade, which were safely neutralized by bomb disposal units.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a “devastating terrorist attack” and “an act of evil antisemitism,” emphasizing that “an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”

He noted the profound irony of the violence occurring on Hanukkah, a holiday symbolizing light and peace. Premier Minns echoed this, calling it a “horrifying evil attack” designed to instill fear in the Jewish community during a time of joy.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) confirmed that one of the shooters was known to authorities, though not considered an immediate threat prior to the attack.

Police have formally designated the incident as terrorism, citing the timing, target, and circumstances.

Eyewitnesses described chaos as dozens of gunshots rang out for approximately 10 minutes. People fled in panic, some seeking shelter in nearby shops and restaurants, while others carried the wounded to safety, reportedly using surfboards as makeshift stretchers in some cases.

This attack marks the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which killed 35 people and prompted sweeping national gun law reforms, including bans on semi-automatic weapons and a large-scale buyback program.

Mass shootings have been exceedingly rare in the decades since, making Sunday’s events particularly shocking in a country long regarded as having some of the world’s strictest firearm regulations.

The incident comes amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict in late 2023, including arson attacks on synagogues and vandalism. J

ewish community leaders expressed profound grief, with Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry calling it “horrific” and noting injuries to staff members.

International reactions poured in swiftly, with leaders condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community and the victims’ families.