Sydney, Australia — An evening of joyous celebration on one of Australia’s most iconic beaches was transformed into a scene of unimaginable bloodshed last night, as a mass shooting targeted a communal Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach. The attack, which shattered Australia’s long-held sense of security against mass-casualty violence, has been condemned by national leaders as a deliberate and calculated act of terror against the Jewish community.
The Attack: From Celebration to Chaos
The incident unfolded just after 6:40 PM AEST near the Bondi Pavilion and playground area, a central hub for the annual “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which was marking the first night of the Festival of Lights. Hundreds of families were present, the atmosphere described as festive and relaxed before the evening’s abrupt, brutal turn.
According to a preliminary police briefing, two attackers, described as wearing dark clothing, positioned themselves on a small footbridge or elevated vantage point—likely near the intersection of Campbell Parade and Notts Avenue—and unleashed a volley of gunfire into the crowded area below. Eyewitness accounts suggest the barrage was intense and sustained, with some estimating over fifty shots fired in rapid succession.
“It was an absolute stampede,” one local resident, who was walking along the promenade, told reporters. “The screams weren’t just shock; they were primal. Parents were literally throwing their children over the low barrier walls to get them out of the line of sight. There was blood on the pavingstones, right where the children had been playing just minutes before.”
Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration hit by mass shooting
Sydney — A family‑friendly Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach turned deadly on Sunday evening when gunfire erupted near Campbell Parade. At about 6:40 p.m., hundreds had gathered for “Chanukah by the Sea” to mark the first night of the Festival of Lights. Witnesses reported two men in dark clothing on a footbridge firing dozens of shots into the crowd.
Police have confirmed two suspects are in custody; one was shot dead by officers at the scene and the other is receiving medical treatment . Casualty figures remain unconfirmed, but early reports indicate multiple fatalities and at least ten injuries, several of them critical . Emergency services treated victims on site and transported others to hospital.
Community leaders, including Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the attack as deliberate and targeted at a Jewish celebration on the first night of Hanukkah . Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes were “shocking and distressing.” New South Wales Police have urged the public to avoid the area while investigations continue.
The incident has shocked a nation accustomed to strict gun controls and rare mass shootings. Authorities have not released a motive, and the investigation is ongoing.
Witnesses reported two men in dark clothing on a footbridge firing dozens of shots into the crowd.
Police have confirmed two suspects are in custody; one was shot dead by officers at the scene and the other is receiving medical treatment . Casualty figures remain unconfirmed, but early reports indicate multiple fatalities and at least ten injuries, several of them critical . Emergency services treated victims on site and transported others to hospital.