Sydney, Australia – Sun 14 December 2025
Australia is reeling after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration was declared a terrorist incident, leaving at least 12 people dead, including one of the shooters, and dozens more injured. Authorities say the attack was a targeted act of antisemitic violence, carried out during the first night of Hanukkah at an event known as Chanukah by the Sea.
NSW Police confirmed that 29 people have been transported to hospitals across Sydney, including two police officers, while paramedics treated additional victims at the scene. At least 18 people remain hospitalised, some in serious condition. Police are now urgently investigating whether a third gunman was involved, as specialist teams examine suspected explosive devices found in a vehicle near the beach.
The Bondi Beach shooting is being described by political leaders and security agencies as one of the most shocking terrorist incidents in Australia in recent years, striking at the heart of a public celebration in one of the country’s most iconic locations.
What Happened at Bondi Beach?
The attack unfolded shortly after dusk on Sunday evening near the Bondi Beach promenade, where families and members of Sydney’s Jewish community had gathered to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. Witnesses reported hearing rapid, deafening gunfire before crowds began fleeing the area in panic.
NSW Police said they received multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter situation. Within minutes, officers, paramedics, and specialist units flooded the area. Surf camera footage later showed beachgoers running for cover as shots rang out.
By mid-evening, police confirmed multiple fatalities. The death toll was later revised upward to at least 12 people, including one of the attackers who died at the scene. Two suspects were taken into custody, while investigators continue to assess whether a third offender may still be at large.
Shooting Declared a Terrorist Incident
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon formally designated the Bondi Beach shooting as a terrorist incident, citing the apparent targeting of a religious community, the scale of violence, and the nature of the weapons used.
“Twenty-nine people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers,” Lanyon said. “The condition of those officers and others transported is serious, but there is a range of conditions.”
Lanyon confirmed that long-arm firearms were used in the attack and that police are still working to determine how the weapons were obtained.
Specialist police units also located a vehicle near Bondi Beach, believed to contain several improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Bomb disposal teams were immediately deployed, prompting further lockdowns and road closures as a precaution.
ASIO: One Shooter Known to Intelligence Agencies
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) confirmed that one of the shooters was previously known to the agency, though not considered an immediate threat at the time.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the agency is now reviewing the attackers’ identities and networks to determine whether anyone else in the community may have “similar intent.”
“It’s important to stress, at this point, we have no indications of that,” Burgess said. “But this is something we have active investigations on.”
Burgess added that Australia’s national terrorism threat level remains at “probable,” meaning there is an assessed 50% chance of a terrorist act occurring.
“Unfortunately,” he said, “we’ve seen that horrific act occur tonight in Australia.”
Witnesses Describe Chaos and Fear
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of confusion and terror as gunfire erupted near the beach pavilion.
Olivia Matis, who was jogging along the promenade at the time, described hearing what she initially thought were fireworks.
“I heard the most deafening sounds,” she said. “Then I saw people crouching down and someone yelled ‘run’. There were just shots, shots, shots.”
Matis said she sprinted to her apartment in North Bondi and hid inside. She estimated hearing as many as 50 shots.
Other witnesses described families dropping belongings, children crying, and crowds scattering in every direction as people sought shelter in nearby buildings, restaurants, and homes.
Heroic Intervention Amid the Violence
Amid the chaos, footage circulated online appearing to show a bystander tackling one of the alleged gunmen. Former prime minister Tony Abbott later praised the act, calling it an example of bravery in the face of terror.
“There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil we’ve seen this evening,” Abbott said. “Thank God one bystander heroically intervened, showing the good side of our country.”
Police have not confirmed details of the intervention, but investigators are reviewing video evidence as part of their ongoing inquiry.
Leaders Condemn ‘Evil’ Antisemitic Attack
Political leaders across Australia condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, describing it as an act of terrorism and antisemitism aimed at intimidating an entire community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the national security committee as a matter of urgency and addressed the nation late Sunday night.
“There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration,” Albanese said. “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy.”
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” he added. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. We will eradicate it.”
Addressing the Jewish community directly, Albanese said they would have “every resource needed” to recover and rebuild.
“You have the right to worship and live in peace and safety,” he said. “You enrich us as a nation.”
NSW Premier: ‘Our Heart Bleeds for Australia’s Jewish Community’
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that at least 12 people were killed and said the attack represented “some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney.”
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” Minns said. “What should have been a night of peace and joy has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack.”
Minns announced a “massive comprehensive police and public order response” in the days ahead and urged Australians to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he said.
Police Urge Calm, Public Asked to Avoid Bondi Area
As the investigation continues, NSW Police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation or retaliation.
“When I ask for calm, that is really important,” Commissioner Lanyon said. “This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow police to do their duty.”
Large sections of Bondi Beach and surrounding streets remain cordoned off, with residents earlier advised to take shelter as police worked to secure the area and assess potential explosive threats.
Extra police patrols have been deployed across Sydney, particularly around religious sites and public gathering places.
Jewish Community in Mourning
The attack has cast a dark shadow over Hanukkah celebrations across Australia. Community leaders said the shooting has deeply shaken Jewish Australians, particularly because it occurred during a religious festival meant to symbolise light, resilience, and survival.
NSW Liberal MP Julian Leeser said the Jewish community was “shaken tonight” and urged Australians to check in on one another and offer comfort where needed.
Mental health support services and community vigils are being organised, while synagogues and Jewish institutions have increased security measures nationwide.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or suspects, citing the need to notify families. Police are examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, firearms origins, and the suspected explosive devices as part of what is expected to be a long and complex investigation.
The possibility of a third gunman remains under active investigation, with police confirming they are leaving no line of inquiry unexplored.
A Nation Confronts Terror and Hate
The Bondi Beach shooting has shocked Australia and reignited conversations about extremism, antisemitism, and public safety. For many, the idea that such violence could erupt at a family-friendly event in one of the country’s most famous public spaces has been deeply unsettling.
As Australia mourns the victims and prays for the injured, leaders have emphasised unity, compassion, and resolve in the face of terror.
In the words of the prime minister: “There is no place for this hate in our nation.”
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