- On 14 December 2025, two gunmen a father and son carried out a mass shooting at Archer Park beside Bondi Beach, Sydney, during a Hanukkah celebration attended by about 1,000 people, killing 15 including a 10-year-old girl.
- New South Wales Police Force killed one perpetrator (the father, aged 50, Indian national) and captured the other (son, 24, Australian-born) critically injured; they fired 103 rounds.
- Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared it a terrorist incident linked to Islamic State (IS), with IS flags and allegiance pledges found; improvised bombs in their vehicle.
- Victims included Chabad rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan, community member Reuven Morrison, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman (87), French national Dan Elkayam, Randwick DRUFC manager Peter Meagher, Slovak Marika Pogany, and 10-year-old Matilda; 42 injured including two officers.
- Bystanders heroically intervened: a Russian-Jewish couple tried to disarm the elder gunman but were killed; Reuven Morrison threw bricks; an unarmed man tackled and disarmed one shooter.
- Gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines a month prior for military-style training, with Naveed linked to Australia’s pro-IS network including Isaac El Matari.
- Australian PM Anthony Albanese called it a deliberate antisemitic attack on the first day of Hanukkah; world leaders condemned it as the deadliest terror incident in Australian history.
- Police arrested IS associates including El Matari (7-year sentence) and Radwan Dakkak (18 months); no evidence of wider plot.
- Vigils held worldwide; Sydney Opera House lit with Hanukkah menorah; 24 remain hospitalised as of 16 December 2025.
A father-and-son duo inspired by Islamic State carried out Australia’s deadliest terror attack, killing 15 people including a child at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach, with police killing one gunman and capturing the other amid heroic bystander interventions and bomb discoveries.
What happened during the Bondi Beach attack?
As detailed in the Wikipedia entry on the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting, the incident unfolded on 14 December 2025 at 18:47 AEDT when two men in black fired from a footbridge over a carpark north of Bondi Pavilion, targeting a crowd of about 1,000 at a Hanukkah event. Initial videos showed at least one bolt-action rifle used, with emergency services called immediately and police confirming the response at 18:57. New South Wales Police killed the elder gunman and wounded the younger, who was hospitalised under guard; they fired 103 rounds total.
According to the entry, a Russian-Jewish couple spotted an IS flag on the attackers’ vehicle on Campbell Parade, confronted the father upon exit, seized his gun in a struggle but were shot dead after he retrieved another weapon. Bystander Reuven Morrison charged throwing bricks but was killed; an unarmed man tackled one shooter from behind, seized his rifle and turned it on him, forcing retreat to the bridge where police fired using tree cover. Lifeguards from Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club aided victims under fire, depleting clubhouse medical supplies.
Who were the victims of the attack?
The Wikipedia page lists 16 deaths (14 at scene including one gunman, 2 in hospital), ages 10-87, with 42 injured including four children and two police officers; 24 hospitalised as of 16 December. Named fatalities include Chabad rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan, member Reuven Morrison (all killed intervening), 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman shielding his wife, French national/Rockdale Ilinden FC player Dan Elkayam, Randwick DRUFC manager Peter Meagher, Slovak Marika Pogany, and 10-year-old Matilda. Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed one Israeli killed, one injured.
CNN live updates reported at least 15 killed and 27 hospitalised initially, later refined. DW noted mothers of victims speaking out, mourning the antisemitic toll.
Who were the perpetrators and their backgrounds?
Per Wikipedia, the gunmen were father Sajid Akram (50, Indian from Hyderabad’s Tolichowki, arrived Australia 1998 on student visa post-business degree, switched to partner visa 2001, married European woman, retained Indian passport) and son Naveed Akram (24, Australian-born). Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon identified them; one known to intelligence. Both pledged IS allegiance; IS flags in car.
As reported by ABC News, the Akrams travelled to Philippines a month prior for military-style training; Naveed linked to pro-IS network including jihadist Hamza and IS youth Youssef Uweinat. Washington Post confirmed Philippines trip, IS flags and explosives in son’s car. Police arrested associates: IS ‘commander’ Isaac El Matari (7-year sentence for insurgency/firearms plot, Naveed’s friend) and Radwan Dakkak (18 months for IS membership/propaganda); Naveed not high-risk.
Why was it declared a terror attack?
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon designated it terrorism, per Wikipedia, as IS-linked with antisemitic targeting on Hanukkah’s first day. PM Anthony Albanese stated it was deliberate against Jewish people. ABC confirmed IS motivation. Washington Post noted father-son IS inspiration, no wider involvement. DW reported IS ideology drive. BBC live coverage investigated Philippines links.
Explosives: two IEDs in vehicle, third nearby, safely removed.
How did bystanders and police respond?
Wikipedia recounts pre-attack intervention by Russian-Jewish couple (killed), Reuven Morrison (bricks, killed), unarmed bystander tackling/disarming one gunman, another kicking weapon away (mistaken for attacker). Police officer fired from tree cover; lifeguards rushed aid under fire. CNN timeline reconstructed sequence. NSW Government urged dashcam/phone footage uploads.
What is the investigation status?
Ongoing per sources: Philippines training confirmed (ABC/BBC/Washington Post). Associates arrested; no other plot evidence. Intelligence tracked one offender. CNN/ABC vigils followed.
How has Australia and world reacted?
PM Albanese condemned antisemitism. Trump mourned (CNN). Vigils worldwide; Sydney Opera House menorah-lit, thousands gathered. Deadliest mass shooting post-Port Arthur 1996, worst terror attack.
What does it mean for security?
Second-deadliest shooting; highlights IS foreign training risks, Jewish event vulnerabilities. No further threats reported.
