On 14 December 2025, a horrific mass shooting took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a large Hanukkah celebration called Chanukah by the Sea that was attended by families and community members. Australian authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack that deliberately targeted the Jewish community.
📍 Timeline & Overview
- Time & Location: About 6:47 PM AEDT at a park area near Bondi Beach where a Hanukkah festival was underway.
- Attack: Two gunmen opened fire from a nearby elevated foot bridge, firing numerous rounds at the crowd over several minutes. Police and eyewitnesses reported dozens of shots before the situation was brought under control.
- Police Response: The New South Wales Police quickly engaged the shooters, killing one at the scene and taking the second into custody after he was seriously wounded. A bystander also intervened and helped disarm one of the attackers, an act now widely described as heroic.
- Explosives: Investigators found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a vehicle linked to the attackers; these were later neutralised by police.
💔 Casualties & Injuries
- Fatalities: 16 people were killed, including one of the gunmen. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
- Injuries: At least 43 others were wounded, many taken to hospitals across Sydney, two of them police officers.
- Community Impact: Among the dead were community members and leaders, including clergy and local residents. International mourners and politicians have expressed condolences as grief spreads locally and abroad.
🎯 Who Was Targeted & Why
The shooting specifically targeted the Jewish community attending a Hanukkah event, a festival meant to celebrate light and faith. Australian officials, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have labeled the attack as both antisemitic and terrorist in nature.
👥 The Suspects
- Perpetrators: Police identified the shooters as a father and son team, aged 50 and 24.
- Fate of the Shooters: The 50-year-old father was killed at the scene by responding officers, while the 24-year-old son was wounded and taken into custody, now in critical condition in hospital.
- Background: The father held a legitimate Australian firearms license and had several registered weapons. Authorities have noted that one of the suspects was previously known to intelligence services but had not been classified as an immediate threat prior to the attack.
📌 Aftermath & Reactions
- National Response: This has been described as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years, even surpassing other recent tragic incidents, and has ignited public debate about firearms laws and how to prevent radicalisation.
- Political & Community Reaction: Leaders around the world, including figures from Australia, the United States, and Europe, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. Local leaders have urged unity, increased vigilance against hate, and support for those affected.
- Heroic Acts: A civilian bystander who disarmed one of the gunmen is being widely praised for potentially saving many lives that night.
🧠 What Comes Next
Australian authorities continue to investigate motives and affiliations, including possible links to extremist ideologies. There is mounting pressure for tougher gun-control measures and enhanced protections for vulnerable communities.