A joyful Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach turned into a scene of unimaginable horror when gunfire erupted.
Leaving at least 15 people dead—including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor—and injuring 42 others.
Authorities described the attack as a deliberate act of anti-Semitic terrorism, shocking both Australia and the global Jewish community.
The attack unfolded during a crowded public celebration at Bondi Beach that had drawn families from across Sydney. The event, usually marked by menorah lighting, music, food stalls and children’s activities, descended into chaos when gunfire erupted. Witnesses described panicked crowds scrambling for safety as two gunmen opened fire, killing 16 people, including one attacker, and wounding dozens more. Victims ranged in age from a young child to an elderly Holocaust survivor. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence as an act of “pure evil,” antisemitism and terrorism, saying an iconic place of joy had been permanently scarred.
