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Sydney shooter identified as Naveed Akram, 24; motive not clear; Australian authorities probe terror angle even as Israeli leaders say warning over anti-Jewish incidents ignored

A Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday took a deadly turn as two gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,000-2,000 attendees, killing at least 12 and leaving several others injured, according to local media reports.

The New South Wales Police confirmed that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident, with one of the gunmen killed during an exchange of fire with officers. The second shooter was wounded and arrested.

More than 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or take shelter indoors.

In a statement, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, said, “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the attack “vile", saying “…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 Chanukah on Bondi Beach…Our hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem."

The Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen involved in the mass shooting and are investigating a possible terror angle. The shooter has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram.

“Australian counter-terrorism teams are actively probing possible ideological or extremist motivations behind the attack, as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility," sources told CNN-News18.

As part of the investigation, security agencies have carried out raids at Akram’s residence in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in south-west Sydney, to identify signs of online radicalisation, including the consumption or circulation of extremist material and Gaza-linked narratives, sources added.

Bonnyrigg and surrounding areas in south-west Sydney have previously featured in counter-terrorism ideological mapping exercises, owing to past radicalisation cases, concerns over extremist returnees, and online extremist penetration, according to security assessments. As per sources, the region has also been linked to investigations into earlier lone attacks.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. In a statement posted on X, NSW Police said: “The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area… Anyone at the scene should take shelter."

‘They are shooting, get down’: Footage emerges on social media

Chilling footage on social media showed the exact moment one of the shooters opened fire on a bridge at Bondi Beach. “They are shooting, get down, get down," one person was heard saying.

Videos circulating online captured scenes of chaos as crowds scattered, sirens blared, and emergency personnel rushed to treat the wounded. Emergency workers told AFP they had transported multiple victims to hospitals across Sydney.

Another video showed an unarmed bystander confronting one of the gunmen and managing to overpower him. The 15-second video, which has gone viral on social media platforms, showed the man initially taking cover behind parked cars before charging the shooter from behind.

Why was a religious and cultural Hanukkah gathering targeted?

According to an intelligence assessment of the attack by CNN-News18, the Bondi Beach attack will be examined closely as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility. The manner of the attack suggested careful planning in advance.

There is a possibility that the attackers deliberately chose a Jewish religious event to provoke communal fear or gain ideological attention. The incident showed signs of a terrorist or ideologically-motivated attack by deliberately targeting a Hanukkah celebration.

The targeting of a symbolic religious gathering with a large civilian presence is aligned with patterns seen in lone wolf extremist attacks of the past. Intelligence sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that the shooting was being examined as a possible terror attack.

Sources say the choice of a Hanukkah celebration, the presence of two attackers, coordinated attire, and sustained high-volume firing suggested advance planning. Investigators are probing whether the attackers intended to target a specific community and generate wider public fear.

Australian authorities have not revealed the established motive, the background of the attackers or any ideological links, even as they are analysing digital footprints, overseas links and radicalisation indicators. Investigators are also probing whether the attack was inspired by extremist narratives circulating online.

Repeated warnings were ignored?

The Executive Council of Australia Jewry (ECAJ) said there were 1,654 reports of anti-Jewish incidents recorded by the community in the 12 months to October 1, ABC News reported. The incidents were logged by volunteer Community Security Groups, official Jewish state roof bodies, and the ECAJ.

Israeli leaders said the Australian authorities repeatedly ignored their warnings. Amichai Chikli, Israel Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, in a post on X, wrote: “A government that normalized boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalized marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today."

Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, said, “This terror attack in Sydney is an abomination. Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didn’t do more?" he wrote on X.

Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “ghastly terror attack" in Sydney.

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“Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah," he wrote on X.

Inputs from agencies

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First Published:

December 14, 2025, 13:58 IST

News world 12 Killed As Two Gunmen Open Fire At Sydney’s Bondi Beach; One Shooter Dead, Another Held

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