ssa “Terror Strikes Hanukkah Event in Sydney: Bondi Beach Shooting Kills 11, Injures 29”
SYDNEY — A peaceful Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach turned into a scene of terror and heroism on Sunday evening, as two gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” festival, killing at least 12 people and wounding 29 others in what Australian authorities have classified as a targeted terrorist attack against the Jewish community.
The tragedy unfolded just after 6:40 p.m. local time, when the attackers — armed with long guns — began firing from an elevated pedestrian bridge overlooking the park adjacent to the beach, police say. Hundreds of families, visitors and community members had gathered for the first night of Hanukkah, one of the most joyous festivals in the Jewish calendar.
Eyewitness footage shows screams, panic and chaos as beachgoers scrambled for cover while bullets struck the crowded area. “It was absolute hell,” one witness told reporters, recalling the terrifying moments when gunfire erupted seemingly out of nowhere.
“A Normal Night Turned Horrific”
“I heard what I initially thought were fireworks,” said another attendee, recalling the first seconds of the attack. “Then people started falling — and that’s when we ran.” The shooting is understood to have lasted for nearly ten minutes before authorities could bring the situation under control.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that two shooters were involved. One was killed at the scene by responding officers, while the second was apprehended in serious condition. Police later found a suspected improvised explosive device in a vehicle associated with one of the attackers.
Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist act, echoing statements from the state’s premier and national leaders who described it as a “targeted attack on Sydney’s Jewish community.”
Heroism in the Face of Horror
Amid the carnage, one dramatic moment has captivated the nation and the world: video footage circulating online shows an unarmed civilian confronting one of the armed attackers. That man, identified by local media as a Sydney resident, tackled and disarmed the gunman, wresting his weapon away in a moment described by officials as “breathtaking courage.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the scene was one of the most remarkable and unbelievable he had ever witnessed. “This man put his life on the line to save others,” Minns said, adding that there is little doubt that his actions saved countless lives.
The brave bystander — who sustained injuries during the confrontation — was later hospitalized. Messages of support and praise have poured in from officials, community leaders and ordinary Australians touched by his act of bravery.
Devastation and Mourning
Among the victims were families and community figures gathered in celebration. Police and emergency services worked through the night to tend to the wounded and clear the chaotic scene, while hospitals across Sydney treated the injured, including several in serious condition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack “shocking and distressing,” pledging full government support for victims and a thorough investigation. “This was an attack on innocent people simply exercising their right to celebrate their faith and community,” Albanese said in a national address.
World leaders and Jewish organizations globally condemned the shooting, expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community and offering support during a time of grief.
Unity in the Aftermath
In Bondi and beyond, ordinary Australians have gathered in vigils and moments of silence to honor the victims and support the survivors. Many community leaders have emphasized unity and resilience in the face of terror.
Rabbi members and Hanukkah participants described the tragedy as a heartbreaking assault on joy, peace and tradition. Yet, amid the profound sorrow, the courage displayed by those who helped others — from first responders to the civilian who confronted an armed assailant — has become a defining image of hope in a night of darkness.
