

On December 14, 2025, a mass shooting and terrorist attack took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration — one of the most solemn and joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. The event, called “Chanukah by the Sea,” drew hundreds of Jewish community members and their families.
Two gunmen, a father and son identified as Sajid Akram (50) and Naveed Akram (24), opened fire on the crowd in the late afternoon near Archer Park beside Bondi Beach.
The attack left at least 15–16 people dead and around 40 + injured, including children and police officers. Victims ranged widely in age — from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.
Among those killed were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a local Jewish leader, and notable community members who had traveled to Sydney for the holiday.
Authorities and international media have described the shooting as a terrorist act motivated by antisemitism, with evidence pointing to Islamist extremist influence, including reports of an Islamic State-linked ideology and ISIS flags found near the scene.
One of the suspects was killed by police, while the other was wounded and taken into custody.
A civilian, identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed, bravely tackled and disarmed one of the attackers, likely saving many lives despite being wounded himself.