11 dead, 30 wounded in shooting attack on Sydney Chanukah party

At least 11 people were murdered in a mass shooting on a Chanukah party in Sydney, Australia.

By World Israel News Staff

At least 11 people were killed and around 30 wounded Sunday in a mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration in the Bondi Beach area of Sydney, Australia.

The attack began at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, with reports of dozens of shots fired.

Video footage from the incident shows two gunmen, dressed in black, firing shots in a parking lot near the Bondi Pavilion.

Panic-stricken partygoers fled the pavilion during the shooting before police officers arrived on scene.

At least one of the two shooters was overpowered by a civilian, who managed to tackle the gunman and take his firearm before the perpetrator fled.

The New South Wales Police Force later confirmed that there was a “developing incident” at Bondi Beach, and initially reported that two people had been arrested at the scene.

“Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area.”

Later police said that one of the gunmen was killed, while the other was wounded.

“Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.”

The death toll was later updated to 12, including one of the shooters.

Several officers were wounded during the attack, NSW Police said, including two who are in critical condition.

“We thought it was fireworks, but it was something much worse,” Elizabeth Mealey, a witness who was dining at a nearby restaurant, told ABC Australia.

One of the gunmen has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram of Bonnyrigg.

According to a report by Sky News, some 2,000 people had gathered near the scene of the shooting for a Chanukah celebration, organized by the local Chabad branch, which New South Wales Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane had been slated to address.

One member of the Jewish community said there was “mass panic” at the Chanukah celebration, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

“This is a Chabad-organized event mainly for parents with young children. From what I understand, there’s great fear. Everyone was pushed further up the beach for safety. Australians aren’t used to events like this.”

The dead include a Chabad emissary, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and several children.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called the shooting “deeply distressing,” while a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the premier was monitoring the situation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the “cruel attack” and called on Canberra to “fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society.”

“At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach.”