A horrific terrorist attack unfolded at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on the first day of Hanukkah, resulting in the deaths of 16 people and injuring 40 others. The incident, deemed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores,” marks Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years and was deliberately targeted at the Jewish community.

The alleged perpetrators have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. During Sunday's attack, the older Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram sustained critical injuries and was hospitalized under police guard. The death toll tragically rose to 16, with two victims dying in hospital overnight, including a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man. The ages of those killed ranged from 10 to 87.

Australian authorities swiftly condemned the attack. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the nation's unity and pledged every necessary resource in response, praising first responders and civilians who intervened. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns unequivocally repudiated antisemitism, stating there is no tolerance for such hatred in Australia and vowing to fight it across all its forms. Minns also indicated that law reform on gun licenses would “almost certainly” follow the extensive police investigation.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Laynon confirmed that investigators were not seeking a third shooter. The 50-year-old perpetrator was a licensed firearms holder with six registered weapons, which police believe were used in the attack alongside two “basic” explosive devices found at the scene and subsequently rendered safe. While the younger man was known to police, there was no prior indication the attack was planned. The pair had been residing at an address in Campsie.

The global community reacted with shock and condemnation. King Charles III expressed his sorrow, noting that Australians always rally in unity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australia's government for allegedly not doing enough to combat antisemitism, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog conveyed solidarity and stressed that “the Hanukah lights must go on.” Leaders including US President Donald Trump, former President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres all expressed their horror and condolences, emphasizing the need to combat terror and antisemitism.

Among the victims was London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, assistant rabbi at the Chabad of Bondi Jewish cultural center. Friends and colleagues, including Rabbi Motti Grossbaum and Rabbi Yaron Levy, paid moving tributes, remembering Schlanger as a beacon of light and joy. Grossbaum highlighted the profound irony of Schlanger's death on the first night of Hanukkah, a festival symbolizing light over darkness. Schlanger, a father of five, had dedicated his life to spreading Judaism, with friends recalling his unwavering spirit. Another victim identified was Alex Kleytman, a Ukrainian-born Holocaust survivor, and an Israeli citizen was also among the deceased. A heroic bystander who tackled and wrestled a gun from one of the alleged gunmen was also praised for preventing further casualties.

In the aftermath, Bondi Beach and surrounding roads were closed for investigation, though some residents were seen walking and swimming early Monday. Items left behind by fleeing beachgoers, such as shopping bags and sandals, were strewn across footpaths. Operation Shelter saw 328 police officers deployed to Jewish suburbs. NSW Ambulance workers and Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers were lauded for their courageous efforts in treating patients, some even under fire.