A terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, Sydney. There are fatalities, a heroic passerby overpowered the attacker

Two armed men opened fire on the crowd gathered on Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia) during the celebration of the Jewish Hanukkah feast. The attack, considered by the police to be an act of terrorism directed against the Jewish community, consumed the lives of at least 12 people, including one of the attackers, and injured 29 others. The incident caused panic among beachgoers and participants of the event "Chanuka by the sea", where hundreds of people celebrated the beginning of the Jewish holiday of lights.

Event

The attack occurred today, around 19:00 local time, when two people armed with automatic weapons, including the IWI Negev machine gun of Israeli production, began shooting at the assembled. According to witnesses, the attackers fired over 50 shots, spreading chaos on the beach and in a nearby parking lot. People fled in panic, hiding behind cars or nearby restaurants. One of the videos from the scene shows the moment when the crowd hears shots and starts running, shouting, "They shoot, fall!" Police from New South Wales (NSW) quickly reacted, surrounding the area and evacuating the area.

One of the attackers was shot by officers on the scene, the other – seriously injured – went to hospital in critical condition. An improvised explosive (IED) was found in the suspect vehicle, which further confirms the terrorist nature of the attack. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated during a press conference that the incident was "targeted against the Jewish community" and constitutes a "act of terrorism". The State Prime Minister condemned the attack as a "act of hatred", calling for solidarity with the victims.

The heroic act of a passerby

Among the chaos, the heroic act of the ordinary citizen was distinguished. The Muslim owner of the fruit shop, Ahmed El Ahmad, without hesitation threw himself at one of the attackers, overpowering him and snatching his gun. Surveillance footage shows El Ahmad attacking an armed man near a trash can in a parking lot fighting him on the ground. The hero was shot twice – in the arm and hand – and underwent surgery. Witnesses describe him as a "hard worker with no experience of weapons" who saved the lives of many people. "I want to buy this man a beer. My country is broken!" wrote one of the Internet users on the X platform. El Ahmad has become a symbol of courage, and his act is praised by the media worldwide.

Background and reactions

Mass shootings in Australia are extremely rare due to strict gun regulations introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were killed. This incident, the first so serious in years, raises concerns about an increase in anti-Semitism. The attack occurred shortly after another incident – arson of the Melbourne synagogue, also considered an act of terrorism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the event, stating: "Antisemitism has no place in the world. We pray for the victims, the Jewish community and the Australian people."

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also referred to the case, writing on platform X:

"I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of a terrible terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, Sydney. Anti-Semitism, wherever it appears, leads to criminal acts. Today Poland is solidarity with Australia at this moment of sadness."

My deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the territorial terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Antisemitism, where it appears, leads to acts of crime. Today, Poland stands with Australia in this moment of gravef.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 14, 2025

There were conspiracy theories on the web, including the alleged "false attack" or the increase in search of the perpetrator's name in Google prior to the incident, but there is no evidence from reliable sources.

Updated: According to the information provided by ABC News, one of the perpetrators is called Naveed Akram.