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At least 11 people have been killed in a gun attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that targeted Australia’s Jewish community, police have said, as they announced the shooting had been declared a ‘terrorist’ incident.
A total of 29 injured people were taken to hospital on Sunday, including two police officers, after gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah gathering at the beach where more than 1,000 people had gathered, said New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in Sydney on Sunday.
The state police force had said earlier that one of the suspected shooters was killed and a second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the “devastating” shooting was “a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith”.
“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,” he said. “Let me be clear: We will eradicate it.”
“The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare,” he added.
Lanyon said police found an improvised explosive device in a car linked to the deceased suspect in the shooting.
Lanyon said police were investigating whether there had been a third individual involved in the attack, which he had declared a ‘terrorist’ incident. He added he had authorised special powers to ensure that if there was a third offender, police would be able to prevent them from acting.
‘Just bang, bang, bang’
Dramatic footage aired by Al Jazeera showed a bystander tackling one of the suspects and snatching his gun. The suspect then walks away.
In the same video, another armed man is seen on a bridge, about 50 to 100 metres (160ft to 330ft) away, shooting towards the bystander.
Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, recounted hearing a long series of gunshots as the attack unfolded.
“It was shocking. It felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang,” he told the AFP news agency at the scene, adding: “It seemed like a powerful weapon.”
People and emergency workers gather in the aftermath of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025 [Mark Baker/AP Photo]Hanukkah event targeted
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that a Chanukah by the Sea event had begun at a playground near the northern end of the beach when the attack occurred at about 6:47pm (07:47 GMT) near the Bondi Pavilion.
The broadcaster spoke to a witness who described seeing two black-clad armed men standing on a bridge, shooting at crowds who had gathered for the event.
Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the “cruel” shooting, which he said targeted Hanukkah celebrations.
“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 Hanukkah,” Herzog said at an event at his residence.
“We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of anti-Semitism which is plaguing Australian society,” he said.
An Australian Islamic organisation condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as a “horrific” act of violence.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack,” the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement.
“This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it added.
Australian opposition leader Sussan Ley also expressed her grief, condemning what she called “hateful violence” that had struck “as our Jewish community came together”.
“This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate,” she said.
“Those who ran towards the danger, everyday Australians, our police and paramedics are heroes.”
A member of Australia’s Jewish community reacts as he walks with police towards the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach [David Gray / AFP]A nation stunned
Reporting from Sydney, journalist Danielle Robertson said the attack has sent shockwaves across Australia.
Gun violence in crowded public spaces is extremely rare in Australia, particularly in an area like Bondi Beach, which is heavily policed, she said.
After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 in Tasmania, Australia introduced strict national gun laws and since then has largely avoided mass public shootings.
Robertson said police officers were lining the streets around Bondi Beach and officers were patrolling on foot, urging people to leave, stay clear and return home.
Political analyst Mark Kenny described Albanese’s address after the attack as one of his most direct and determined public statements.
“We saw there a very resolute Australian prime minister determined to reassure the community, reassure the Jewish community, but also the broader community about the need for social cohesion in Australia and the government’s determination to hunt down anyone involved in this.”
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