Mass shooting at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebration — multiple casualties and arrests as police respond to reports of a racially and religiously targeted attack in Sydney. Updates here.
Today I landed in Sydney with my family and was looking forward to a chill day at the beach. I feel lucky we didn’t go to Bondi, my old local spot, because that’s where the shooting happened. It’s shocking for everyone in Australia—something like this at a beach just doesn’t feel real. So many people have lost their lives, and it’s heartbreaking. On top of that, it just adds to the worries about growing antisemitism and racial tension in Sydney. Honestly, it’s a reminder that even in places we think are safe, terrible things can happen, and that as a community, we need to stick together and look out for one another.
Read this article backwards if you want to know what happened in chronological order.
I would really like you to join in the conversation about this, so scroll down to the bottom of this article, and read more about what i think about this bubbling and now exploding racial hatred in my home town, Sydney.
UPDATE 22:26
12 people confirmed dead including one of the gun men. 29 people have been taken to hospital
Has officially become labelled a 'Terrorist incident' by Anthony Albanese - the Prime Minister of Australia
The Australian prime minister is very clearly against Anti-semitism, so lets see how they deal with it.
They already have identified one of the gun men and announced that his name is Naveed Akram, a man from the city's south-west.
Terrorist rating is still high as there might be other explosives around the area. Some have been confirmed to be found on the beach itself.
UPDATE 22:00
“When I asked for calm, that is really important. This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow the police to do their duty. So police are responding to make sure that all of the community is safe.” The Guardian
This was said by NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon while speaking about the ongoing response to the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.
UPDATE 21:35
BREAKING 21.19
Authorities have confirmed that at least ten people were killed in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, including one of the suspected attackers, as police continue to investigate the incident. Dozens of others were injured and rushed to local hospitals, with the New South Wales Police Force urging the public to avoid the area while emergency services remain on the scene.
UPDATE
NSW Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach following reports of gunshots in the area. Two people are currently in custody and a police operation is ongoing. Members of the public are urged to avoid the area, obey all police directions, and take shelter where possible. Emergency services remain on the scene, and further information will be provided as it becomes available
WHEN DID THE SHOOTING HAPPEN?
According to multiple reports, the **shooting at Bondi Beach occurred in the early evening — around 6:40 – 6:50 p.m. (local Sydney time) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when gunfire was first heard and people began fleeing the area.
Not just me, but the whole of Sydney was shaken today after a shooting at Bondi Beach prompted a major police response and left multiple people injured. The incident occurred near a public gathering, with authorities confirming that a suspect was taken into custody and an investigation is underway. Police have not formally confirmed a motive, but are examining whether the attack may have been racially or religiously motivated, as community leaders call for calm and further details continue to emerge.
Update: 2 people are in custody and 1 person was shot dead by police.
A Jewish Hanukkah celebration was taking place at Bondi Beach today, bringing together members of Sydney’s Jewish community and the wider public to mark the Festival of Lights. The event featured traditional observances, cultural activities, and family-friendly gatherings, reflecting Hanukkah’s themes of faith, resilience, and community. Public Hanukkah events such as this are commonly held to promote cultural connection and inclusivity during the eight-day Jewish festival.
The Jewish community has been targeted before, this is the biggest issue happening in australia of this kind right now.
HAS IT TARGETED THE JEWISH COMMUNITY?
The horrific attack at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration is a chilling reminder that antisemitism in Australia is not a distant problem—it is very real and escalating. While the Jewish community has long faced harassment, vandalism, and occasional threats, the scale of this mass shooting is unprecedented in recent memory. It exposes the stark reality that hatred can manifest in the most extreme and violent ways, threatening the safety and peace of entire communities. For too long, antisemitic incidents have been treated as isolated events, but the surge in hostility over the past few years shows a broader societal issue that cannot be ignored. This tragedy demands more than condolences; it requires concrete action to address prejudice, improve security, and foster understanding. Australia must confront this uncomfortable truth: the safety of Jewish Australians is under threat, and the nation cannot remain complacent.
On a more positive note, on the ground
In the midst of the chaos at Bondi Beach today (on 14 December 2025), as gunshots rang out and terrified families fled for cover during a Hanukkah celebration, an extraordinary act of bravery stood out. Amid the carnage, a civilian courageously tackled one of the armed gunmen — rushing toward danger at a moment when most were scrambling for safety.
In dramatic footage from the scene, the man, dressed in a white shirt, is seen grappling with the shooter, wrestling the rifle from his hands and forcing him to the ground, an act that likely prevented further loss of life as others were still being targeted.
What are your comments about this horrifying event. Please comment below.
1 comment
This has definitely become a symbol for the extremist racism against Jewish australians, although i try to stay unpolitical, i cannot help but to feel really bad for the Jewish community right now in Australia.