Gunfire at Bondi Beach During Hanukkah Killing 15, Including a 10‑Year‑Old Girl and a Rabbi

Gunfire shattered a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, including a 10‑year‑old girl, a Holocaust survivor, and a beloved rabbi.

The Attack

Around 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, two armed men—a father and son—began firing into a crowd gathered on a pedestrian bridge over Bondi’s beach. The gunfire lasted at least seven minutes and produced dozens of shots. The assault was described by authorities as an antisemitic act of terrorism.

The Victims

The death toll reached 15. Among those killed were:

• A 10‑year‑old girl
• A Holocaust survivor
• A revered rabbi

The victims were part of a diverse crowd that had come to celebrate Hanukkah at a park overlooking the Tasman Sea. The park also featured a petting zoo and a rock‑climbing wall for children.

The Gunmen

Police identified the older shooter as a 50‑year‑old man who was fatally shot by police. His 24‑year‑old son, who was wounded, is receiving treatment at a hospital. The father‑son duo were the only confirmed suspects.

The Response

• A passerby, identified by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as Ahmed al Ahmed, wrestled a gun from one of the shooters and was shot in the shoulder. He underwent surgery on Monday.
• A fruit‑shop owner and father of two tackled a shooter, disarming him and pointing a weapon at the gunman, who fell to the ground.
• Police fired on the remaining shooter for about a minute before he also fell.
• Rescuers pumped the chests of unmoving bodies on the grass, near a picnic table, an abandoned stroller and the petting zoo.

Survivor Stories

• 33‑year‑old Rebecca, who hid under a table with her 5‑year‑old son, begged God: “Please don’t let us die,” and “Please just keep my son safe.” She later said, “You’re going to be OK,” to a man who was shot.
• Eleanor, who also spoke under a pseudonym, said she was walking down the boardwalk when she heard the gunshots and, in a single thought, told herself: “Run.” She fled into the ocean.
• Grace, filming the incident from her hotel room, shouted, “Baby, I’m scared,” and “Get off the street!”
• Shira Elisha, an American who hid in a restaurant bathroom, later said, “It just reminded me of the Holocaust— all these shoes lying here. This is like Oct. 7,” and asked, “How many times do Jews need to be attacked before the world just wakes up and realizes that we have targets on our backs?”

Aftermath and Reactions

On Monday, Rebecca and her sister‑in‑law, draped in the flag of Israel, mourned at the beach before a memorial of flowers. Rebecca expressed frustration that officials had done little to address the rise in antisemitic crimes in Sydney and Melbourne over the past year. She said, “The world needs to wake up and see what’s happening. They specifically targeted us, the Jewish people. No one did anything. They turned a blind eye.”

Key Takeaways

• The gunfire at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah gathering killed 15 people, including a 10‑year‑old girl and a rabbi.
• Two gunmen—a 50‑year‑old father and his 24‑year‑old son—were shot by police; the father died, the son was wounded.
• The assault was classified as an antisemitic act of terrorism, prompting widespread shock and calls for increased protection of the Jewish community.

The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the Sydney community, highlighting the vulnerability of even a country with strict gun laws to targeted violence.