On a sunny Sunday evening, Bondi Beach became the scene of a deadly gunfire that left 15 people dead and many others injured. The shootings unfolded during a family‑friendly Hanukkah event called “Chanukah by the Sea,” which had drawn thousands of visitors to the iconic Australian beach.
The Attack
Two men—a father and his son—opened fire indiscriminately at the event. The gunmen targeted Jewish families, shooting men, women, children, and even a Holocaust survivor. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, and the violence was sustained for at least seven minutes, according to footage supplied to the Associated Press by a nearby hotel guest.
Personal Stories
Rebecca, 33, told the AP that she and her husband were with two children when the shots erupted. “I was just praying to God, ‘Please, don’t let us die. Please just keep my son safe,’” she said. She described shielding her 5‑year‑old son under a table and witnessing a man shot in the chest inches from her. Her 65‑year‑old mother‑in‑law applied pressure with a cardboard to a wounded man, but he died.
“One lady was to my side, and she was an elderly woman who couldn’t get down on the floor and they just shot her,” Rebecca added. She also emphasized the communal bond of the Jewish community: “It’s the Jewish community. We’re all family we’re all one,” she said.
Community Response
Heather Norland, who was walking back from dinner with her family when she heard the gunfire, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “It’s really sad because Bondi is really (as) much about community and about people getting together,” she said. Janine Hall and her daughter laid flowers at a growing tribute spot overlooking the beach before heading down to the sand to swim.
“I hope it’s an aberration and not the start of a change,” Hall told the AP. “Everyone keep their heads and don’t fight hatred with more hatred, because that’s just a one‑way ticket to nowhere, for everybody.”
Robert, who declined to give his last name, had lived in Bondi for 17 years. “Australia is untouched by a lot of things,” he said Monday. “No one was expecting this.”
Acts of Bravery
In the chaos, several individuals stepped forward to help. A fruit seller, identified by local news outlets as Ahmed al Ahmed, tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen before pointing the weapon at him and setting it on the ground. The surf lifeguards of Bondi Beach, trained to rescue swimmers, ran toward the gunfire barefoot and clutching first aid kits, according to Australian news outlets.
Police Findings
Authorities recovered six guns that were legally owned by one of the shooters—a 50‑year‑old man who was later shot dead. His 24‑year‑old son was being treated at a hospital Monday. The men have not yet been named by officials.
The motive was described by Australian leaders as a targeted attack on Australian Jews during joyful celebrations that marked the beginning of Hanukkah. The death toll from Sunday’s massacre is the highest since a mass shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996, which led to strict gun control reforms.
Context and Comparisons
Bondi Beach is a cultural landmark known for its laid‑back atmosphere, reality television series “Bondi Rescue,” and its tradition of voters arriving in swim briefs at the local polling place. The beach is also part of the Waverley local government area, the center of Sydney’s Jewish life.
A knife attack last year at the nearby Bondi Junction shopping mall was initially feared to be antisemitic, but authorities ruled out a political motive. In that incident, law enforcement shot dead Joel Cauchi, who had a history of mental illness, after he stabbed six people and wounded twelve others.
Key Takeaways
- 15 people were killed and dozens injured in a gun attack on Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration.
- The violence targeted Jewish families and was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since 1996.
- Six legally owned guns were recovered from a 50‑year‑old shooter who was killed; his 24‑year‑old son was hospitalized.
The attack has left Bondi and Australia grappling with a sudden surge in antisemitism and a stark reminder that even places of joy can become sites of tragedy.
