On 14 December 2025, a mass shooting and terror attack struck Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, at a large public Hanukkah celebration near Campbell Parade in the evening.
Two armed attackers opened fire on the crowd gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which was organised by the local Chabad Jewish community and attended by hundreds of people.
Police and emergency services received reports of gunshots shortly before 6:50 p.m. local time, prompting immediate response.
Casualties and Injuries
At least 12 people were killed, including one of the shooters.
At least 29 people were injured, among them civilians and at least two police officers.
Victims include attendees of the festival and bystanders; one Israeli citizen was confirmed among the dead.
This is one of Australia’s deadliest shootings in decades, surpassing most mass‑casualty incidents since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Attack and Response
Officials report:
Two attackers were involved.
One was killed at the scene; the second was captured alive and critically injured.
Improvised explosive devices were later found in a vehicle used by the attackers and were safely removed by bomb squads.
A civilian bystander bravely confronted one of the shooters, tackling him and seizing the firearm — an action credited with saving lives amid the chaos.
Police have secured the area, declared the attackers “neutralised,” and urged the public to avoid the region as investigations continue.
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Motives and Classification
Authorities and community leaders have classified the incident as an antisemitic terrorist attack:
New South Wales police declared the incident a terrorist event targeting the Jewish community.
Australian officials called the act “evil” and “cowardly,” emphasizing antisemitism as a primary motive.
Investigators are examining the attackers’ backgrounds and possible links to extremist ideologies.
This attack comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia, which authorities and Jewish organisations say has increased sharply since geopolitical conflicts escalated in 2023.