Australia was rocked by its deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. The attackers were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Police confirmed Sajid was killed during the confrontation, while Naveed was wounded and remains under medical care.

Authorities said the attack was a deliberate act targeting the Jewish community, carried out on the first day of Hanukkah. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the incident as an act of terrorism and antisemitism. At least 15 people were killed, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87, and over 40 others injured, several critically.

Investigations revealed that Sajid Akram owned a fruit shop and had legally held a gun licence for nearly a decade. His son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, had reportedly lost his bricklaying job two months earlier after his employer became insolvent. Intelligence sources indicated Naveed had been previously examined by security agencies for suspected extremist links but was not under active surveillance at the time of the attack.

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The violence erupted shortly after 6:45 p.m. as thousands gathered at Bondi Beach, including nearly 1,000 people attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” event. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunfire rang out for nearly ten minutes, sending families and beachgoers fleeing. Video footage showed two men firing long guns from a footbridge leading to the beach.

One civilian, identified as local fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, was hailed as a hero after tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. His actions likely prevented further loss of life, drawing praise from state leaders and the public. A fundraising campaign launched in his honour raised more than A$200,000 within hours.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting a “dark moment for the nation,” vowing to eradicate antisemitism and extremism in Australia. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the attack. The tragedy has intensified national debate around radicalisation, community safety, and the persistence of hate-driven violence even in countries with strict gun laws.

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