A devastating mass shooting took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during an annual Hanukkah celebration. The attack, which targeted the Chabad-hosted event, has been labeled a major terror incident, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Confirmed Casualties and Attack Details
The attack occurred near the Bondi Beach Park Playground in the late afternoon, sparking widespread panic among the estimated 1,000 attendees.
* Fatalities Confirmed: New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed late Sunday evening that 10 people have died. This number includes nine victims and one of the suspected gunmen.
* Injured: A total of 18 people were transported to multiple hospitals with gunshot injuries, with paramedics treating others at the scene. Two police officers were among the injured. A second alleged shooter is in critical condition and in police custody. Police confirmed the threat was “neutralised” after the two shooters were incapacitated.
* Targeted Attack: The victims were attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, celebrating the first night of the Jewish festival. Witnesses reported hearing at least 50 shots fired. Multiple witnesses claim the shooters shouted “Allahu Akbar” after each shot.
* Chabad Leader Killed: The Chabad delegation confirmed that Rabbi Eli Shlanger, head of the Chabad delegation, was murdered in the attack.
Security Response and Official Reaction
The incident, which took place in a location known for its strict gun control, has shocked the nation.
* Suspects & Motive: Two men were reportedly seen firing shotguns. While police have not officially characterized the nature of the incident, Jewish community leaders, including Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stated the attack was “very deliberate and very targeted”.
* Bystander Action: A civilian is credited in early reports with bravely subduing one of the gunmen before police intervened.
* Suspicious Items: Specialist police teams are investigating “suspicious items” and a suspected pipe bomb found inside a vehicle near the scene, and an exclusion zone is in place.
* Prime Minister’s Statement: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes at Bondi were “shocking and distressing”. While he confirmed a meeting of the National Security Committee, the Prime Minister’s initial public statement did not explicitly mention that the target was a Jewish Hanukkah event. Israeli President Isaac Herzog immediately condemned the “vile terrorist attack”.
Police have urged the public to continue avoiding the area as the investigation into the motives and logistics of the attack remains ongoing.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
