Bondi Beach Terror Attack 2025: Hanukkah Celebration

On December 14, 2025, a terrorist mass shooting occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs during a public Hanukkah celebration organized by Chabad of Bondi, known as “Chanukah by the Sea.” The event, marking the first night of Hanukkah, featured a giant menorah lighting, music, free donuts, games, and family activities, attracting hundreds of attendees, including many from Sydney’s Jewish community.

What Happened

Around 6:45 p.m. local time, two gunmen—a father and son duo identified as Sajid Akram (aged approximately 50) and Naveed Akram (aged 24)—opened fire on the crowd from a pedestrian footbridge overlooking Archer Park near the Bondi Pavilion. Witnesses described the attackers emerging from a vehicle, dressed in dark clothing, and armed with long guns (likely rifles). They fired dozens of shots—over 100 in total across several minutes—targeting the Jewish gathering specifically, while reportedly waving away or sparing non-participants in some accounts.

The attack lasted about 10-11 minutes, sending panicked beachgoers fleeing into the water, streets, and nearby areas. Police responded quickly, engaging the gunmen in a shootout. Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene. Naveed Akram was critically injured and taken into custody, where he remains under guard in hospital; authorities expect to charge him.

A bystander, identified as local fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed (or Ahmed al Ahmed in some reports), heroically tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen from behind, wresting away his weapon despite being shot himself. He has been widely praised for potentially saving lives and is recovering in hospital.

Police also discovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a vehicle linked to the suspects, which were safely disabled by the bomb squad. Additional items, including Islamic State flags, were reportedly found in the vehicle, prompting a joint counter-terrorism investigation into possible extremist motivations.

Casualties and Victims

• Death toll: At least 15 civilians killed (reports vary slightly between 15-16, including one gunman), with victims aged 10 to 87, including children.
• Injured: Around 38-40 people hospitalized, including two police officers.
• Notable victims include:
  • Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key event organizer.
  • Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor attending with family.
  • Others from the local Jewish community.

Official Response and Context

Australian authorities, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, declared the incident a terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism. Albanese called it “an act of pure evil” and a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians.” The national terrorism threat level remains “probable.”

In response, Albanese announced plans for tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of firearms per license and periodic reviews—despite Australia’s already strict post-1996 Port Arthur massacre reforms that banned most semi-automatic rifles. This is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since that 1996 incident (35 killed).

The attack occurs amid heightened antisemitic incidents in Australia since October 2023, linked to tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Bondi’s eastern suburbs have a significant Jewish population.

World leaders condemned the attack, with reactions from figures like U.S. officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and others expressing solidarity.

As of December 15, 2025, the crime scene remains active, memorials have formed at Bondi Pavilion, and investigations continue into the suspects’ motives and any broader links.