Sydney Hanukkah Massacre: Raw Video Shows Shocking Aftermath of Bondi Beach Shooting
On December 14, in Australia's second-largest city, Sydney, two men opened fire on people gathered for a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. The tragedy claimed the lives of 12 people, while nearly two dozen others were injured. The country's authorities have classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that the attackers also had an explosive device inside their vehicle.
"This shameful act will not go unpunished.”Mal Lanyon
Commissioner of Police of New South Wales
Details of the Attack
First reports of the attack appeared at 6:00 p. m. local time (10:00 a. m. Moscow time). Witnesses initially reported loud bangs and gunfire directed at people relaxing on the beach.
A Russian tourist named Timur, who happened to be at the scene, shared details of the shooting. According to him, the motive for the attack may have been hatred based on nationality.
"We heard loud bangs, very loud, but at first we didn't understand where they were coming from," the man said.
He noted that vacationers began hiding in nearby buildings and establishments, while authorities deployed coast guard vessels to evacuate surfers who were still in the water at the time of the attack.
In addition to Timur, a Russian woman was also present in the Bondi Beach area after deciding to attend the holiday event. She was injured during the attack, sustaining a gunshot wound to her arm.
"Children were playing at the festival. And then suddenly complete chaos erupted. It was a bloody massacre, a real massacre. I saw children falling to the ground, I saw elderly people. I saw people with disabilities. Blood was everywhere. The last time I saw something like this was on October 7. I never thought I would witness something like this in Australia.”
Two Russian citizens narrowly escaped death during the attack. A couple from Sochi had been attending the celebration but left just minutes before the shooting began because they needed to head to the airport.
The Times of Israel reported that one of the injured was Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Shlanger.
Later, the name of one of the attackers was released: Navid Akram.
Shortly afterward, police arrested two more men during searches at the terrorists' residence. Details of the charges against them have not yet been disclosed.
Heroic Act by a Local Resident
Soon after the attack, a video began circulating online showing one of the attackers being disarmed by an unarmed civilian. The man was identified as 43-year-old local resident and fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed.
The disarmed shooter retreated and was later detained by police. Al-Ahmed himself sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. It remains unclear who exactly fired the shot that injured him.
Global Reaction to the Sydney Tragedy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Australian government and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the attack. According to Netanyahu, he had previously sent a letter to his Australian counterpart warning of the escalation of what he described as an "antisemitic conflict,” accusing Canberra of encouraging hatred toward Jews.
"We will continue to condemn those who do not condemn but encourage. We will continue to demand from them what is required of leaders of free nations. We will not surrender, we will not bow our heads, we will continue to fight as our ancestors did," Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russian diplomats in Australia are in contact with local authorities following the attack. She noted that the consulate is clarifying whether any Russian citizens are among the victims.
"There can be no justification for terrorism," Maria Zakharova said.
