A mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, has been officially declared a terrorist incident by Australian authorities after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish community Hanukkah celebration. The attack, described as a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians,” has sent shockwaves across the nation, which rarely experiences such gun violence.
Casualties and Attack Details
The attack occurred near the Bondi Beach Park Playground around 6:45 p.m. local time, targeting the Chabad-hosted “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which had attracted hundreds of people.
* Final Death Toll: New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns confirmed that 12 people were killed in the massacre. This total includes 11 victims and one of the gunmen.
* Injured: A total of 29 people were transported to hospitals across Sydney with gunshot injuries, including two police officers.
* Victim Identified: Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Shlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event.
* Weapons and Motive: Witnesses reported hearing at least 50 shots fired from what appeared to be shotguns. Multiple witnesses claimed the shooters, two men dressed in black, shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, confirming an ideological motivation.
Assailants, Arrests, and IED Threat
The police operation was complex, involving the neutralization of the attackers and the discovery of a secondary threat.
* Gunmen Status: The two attackers were both neutralized:
* One gunman, identified by Australian media as Naveed Akram (a migrant of Pakistani origin), was shot dead by police at the scene. Police are currently raiding his home.
* The second alleged shooter was disarmed by a heroic unarmed civilian who tackled him and wrestled his shotgun away. This second suspect was then shot by police and is in custody in critical condition.
* IED Threat: Police confirmed the discovery of an “improvised explosive device” (IED) and other suspicious items in a vehicle linked to the deceased offender. Bomb disposal units are working to safely dispose of the device, which, according to authorities, indicates a larger-scale plot that could have caused a “potential mass-casualty event”.
* Investigation: NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated the operation is ongoing, and investigators are examining the possibility of a third offender being involved.
Official and International Reaction
The attack has been met with immediate condemnation and heightened security measures both domestically and abroad.
* Australian Response: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the “targeted attack on Jewish Australians” and confirmed the National Security Committee was meeting. Law enforcement has increased security around Jewish sites across Australia.
* International Reaction: Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the “vile terrorist attack”. In London, the mayor announced an increased police presence around Jewish communities ahead of Hanukkah events as a precaution. Israeli security sources are reportedly examining unverified claims of potential Iranian involvement.
The National Terrorism Threat Level in Australia remains at ‘Probable,’ meaning there is a greater than 50% chance of a domestic terrorist attack or planning in the next 12 months.
