Gunmen target Jewish families at iconic Sydney beach in declared terrorist incident; one shooter identified as Naveed Akram

Sydney, Australia — December 14, 2025

A joyous Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach turned into a scene of horror on Sunday evening when two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of more than 1,000 people, killing at least 12 and injuring dozens in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

New South Wales Police confirmed that 12 people, including one of the shooters, were killed in the assault, which began around 6:47 p.m. local time during the "Chanukah by the Sea" event organized by Chabad of Bondi. Among the victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the gathering marking the first night of Hanukkah.

At least 29 others were wounded, including two police officers, with many transported to hospitals in serious condition. Police are investigating reports of a possible third gunman and have neutralized several improvised explosive devices found in a vehicle linked to one of the attackers.

Eyewitness accounts and verified video footage show two men dressed in black firing rifles from a pedestrian footbridge overlooking the beach and park area. Screams echoed as families fled, with one bystander hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen.

A senior law enforcement source has identified one of the shooters as **Naveed Akram**, a 24-year-old man from Bonnyrigg in Sydney's south-west suburbs. Police raided Akram's home on Sunday evening as part of the ongoing investigation. It remains unclear whether Akram was the shooter killed at the scene or the one taken into custody in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that one of the offenders was previously known to security services but not considered an immediate threat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as "an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation." In a national address, he stated: "An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. This targeted violence on a day of joy and faith is beyond comprehension."

NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as a "cowardly act of terrifying violence," adding that the incident represented "some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney." Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon formally designated the event a terrorist incident, citing the timing on Hanukkah, the weapons used, and the offenders' apparent intent to target the Jewish community.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess confirmed the national terrorism threat level remains at "probable."

International leaders swiftly reacted. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the United States "strongly condemns" the attack, calling antisemitism unacceptable. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed outrage, with the foreign ministry confirming one Israeli citizen among the dead.

The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and comes amid heightened concerns over rising antisemitic incidents in the country following the October 7, 2023, events in Israel.

Bondi Beach, a global symbol of Australian summer life, was cordoned off for hours as emergency services responded. Community leaders from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry called it a "horrific" deliberate targeting, while vowing resilience.

As Sydney mourns and investigations into the attackers' motives and any potential accomplices continue, authorities urge the public to avoid the area. The nation stands in solidarity with the Jewish community during this dark moment.