Australia has been shaken by a brutal attack during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. What began as a peaceful religious gathering ended in tragedy, leaving the nation in shock and grief.
Authorities confirmed that the victims of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack range from children to the elderly.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns revealed the scale of the loss during a press briefing.
“The 15 victims in the massacre at a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia range in age from 10 to 87,” Minns said.
He added that 42 people are still being treated in hospitals. Two of those injured are police officers.
Meanwhile, the death toll rose again by Monday morning. Officials confirmed that 16 people have now died. Among them was a 10-year-old child. The oldest victim was reportedly 87 years old.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident in stark terms. Speaking shortly after the premier, he said the nation was facing a grim moment.
The attack was “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores,” Albanese said. He added that it was “a dark day in our nation’s history.”
According to investigators, the assault was carefully timed. It took place on the first day of Hanukkah. Therefore, it was quickly treated as a targeted act.
The prime minister said the shooting was “deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.” Those words have since echoed across the country.
Police identified the attackers as Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father. Witnesses said families were the main targets during the celebration.
Moreover, eyewitness accounts described a terrifying scene. Two men reportedly stepped out of a vehicle on Campbell Parade. Over about 10 minutes, nearly 50 bullets were fired into the crowd.
Akram was later shot and arrested by police. He remains in custody under heavy guard. His father, however, was shot dead at the scene by officers.
In addition, reports revealed that Akram had misled his family. He reportedly told his mother he was going on a fishing trip before the attack.
Security agencies have increased patrols across Sydney. Jewish communities have also been placed under heightened protection.
However, leaders stressed that fear must not win. Community groups have called for unity and calm during mourning.
The Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack has raised urgent questions about security at public events. Furthermore, it has renewed concerns about rising antisemitism worldwide.
