Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach became the scene of a devastating terrorist attack on December 14, 2025, during a Hanukkah celebration organized by Chabad of Bondi. Two gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered at Archer Park near the Bondi Pavilion shortly after 6:45 p.m., targeting the Jewish community event attended by over 1,000 people. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident by New South Wales Police.
At least 12 people were killed, including one of the shooters who died in a confrontation with authorities. A second gunman was critically injured and taken into custody, while improvised explosive devices were discovered in a nearby vehicle and safely removed. Twenty-nine others were hospitalized, including two police officers and several children.
The cause of death for victims was multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by the attackers, who were dressed in black and fired from a pedestrian bridge overlooking the park. A bystander heroically tackled and disarmed one gunman, an act praised by officials as preventing further loss. No children were confirmed among the deceased, though injuries included minors.
One shooter has been identified by law enforcement sources as Naveed Akram, a resident of Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s southwest, with police raiding his home. The second shooter’s identity remains unconfirmed publicly. Among the victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi.
Limited personal details are available for most victims due to ongoing identification processes and family privacy. The Jewish community event, “Chanukah by the Sea,” marked the first night of Hanukkah with families present. No verified information on individual victims’ education, professions, or family lives has been released.
Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, condemned the attack as an act of evil antisemitism, urging calm and unity. The incident has shocked the nation, highlighting rare gun violence in Australia amid heightened community security concerns.