Australia is grappling with the aftermath of one of its deadliest mass shootings in recent memory, after a father and son duo opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, on December 14, 2025. The attack left 15 people dead and more than 40 wounded, sending shockwaves through the nation and igniting urgent calls for action against antisemitism and violent extremism.
As the sun rose three days after the tragedy, rows of floral tributes lined the Bondi Pavilion, a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the community’s grief. According to BBC News, the first funerals were set to take place on December 16, including services for two rabbis killed in the assault. Jewish leaders have been vocal in urging the government to take stronger measures against antisemitic threats, with the attack having specifically targeted a Jewish festival event.
The massacre unfolded as hundreds gathered to mark the first day of Hanukkah. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly stood on an overpass bridge and began firing into the crowd, shouting “Allahu Akbar.” According to a briefing reviewed by ABC News, the two men were heavily armed and prepared for maximum devastation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation two days after the attack, stating, “It would appear that there is evidence that this was inspired by a terrorist organization, by ISIS.” Police investigations quickly revealed that the Akram duo had traveled to the Philippines in November 2025, just weeks before the attack, raising troubling questions about their motives and possible connections to international extremist networks.
Senior counterterrorism officials told ABC Australia that Sajid and Naveed Akram underwent military-style training in the southern Philippines during their trip. The region has long been a hotspot for Islamist militant activity, with training camps established by groups affiliated with ISIS and other extremist organizations. The father and son returned to Australia in late November, only weeks before carrying out the massacre.
Law enforcement officials discovered further evidence of the attackers’ intent and preparation. A car registered to Naveed Akram was found to contain improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ISIS flags, according to New South Wales Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon. “We continue to work through the motive of this tragedy and will continue to do so,” Lanyon said, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation into both the attack and the suspects’ overseas activities.
The police response has come under intense scrutiny, but New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has staunchly defended the actions of first responders. “They engaged the gunmen on the footbridge with handguns,” Minns stated at a press conference. “The offenders had long-range rifles and New South Wales police officers were responsible for killing one of them and shooting the other one and as a result saving many, many people’s lives.” Two officers remain in critical care after bravely confronting the attackers head-on.
The violence claimed victims from a wide range of backgrounds, with ages spanning from 10 to 87 years old and including French, Slovak, and Israeli citizens. Among the youngest was Matilda Britvan, a ten-year-old girl who was shot in front of her younger sister while enjoying the festivities. Her aunt, Lina Chernykh, told Australia’s Channel 9, “Everywhere she goes, she was like a sun.” The family, she said, would never recover from their loss.
Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who emigrated from Ukraine, was also among the dead. His wife, Larisa, recounted to The Australian how she heard loud “boom” sounds before seeing her husband fall. “He came on Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah; for us it was always a very, very good celebration, for many, many years,” she said. Kleytman’s life was marked by resilience, having survived dreadful conditions in Siberia during his youth.
The list of victims also includes Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French IT professional and soccer enthusiast; Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan, two Chabad rabbis deeply involved in Sydney’s Jewish community; Peter Meagher, a beloved former police officer and rugby club volunteer; Tibor Weitzen, 78, an Israeli immigrant; and Reuven Morrison, 62, who died while attempting to stop one of the gunmen. Morrison’s daughter, Sheina Gutnick, told CBS News that he “managed to throw bricks at the terrorist” before being fatally shot. “He was shot dead for being Jewish,” she said.
Acts of extraordinary bravery were witnessed amidst the carnage. Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple in their sixties, were recorded on dashcam footage wrestling a weapon away from one of the attackers. Their family described them as people of “deep kindness, quiet strength and unwavering care for others,” and said their selfless actions “reflect exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk,” as reported by ABC Australia.
Another bystander, Ahmad Al Ahmad, was seen on video jumping in and wrestling a gun away from one of the attackers, helping to prevent further loss of life. These stories of courage have offered some solace to a grieving community, even as the full scale of the tragedy continues to sink in.
The attack has been widely condemned as an antisemitic terrorist act. Jewish leaders have been quick to demand stronger protections and more decisive action from authorities. The presence of international victims has also drawn statements of solidarity from around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on social media, saying, “I am thinking of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the nation.” Slovak and Israeli officials have similarly voiced their support for the victims and the Australian people.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on the Akram family’s background. Sajid Akram, originally from India, immigrated to Australia in 1998 and maintained only limited contact with relatives in Hyderabad. Indian authorities told ABC News that Sajid had “no adverse record” during his time in India. Naveed Akram, his son, is an Australian citizen. The motivations behind their radicalization and the specifics of their training in the Philippines remain under close scrutiny by both Australian and international security agencies.
The Bondi Beach massacre has left an indelible mark on Australia’s collective consciousness. As families begin to bury their loved ones and communities come together to mourn, the nation faces difficult questions about extremism, security, and the fight against hatred in all its forms. The legacy of those lost—and the heroism of those who stood up to violence—will not soon be forgotten.
