People abandoned their belongings when they fled from the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. – AFP photo
A father-and-son team toting long-barrelled guns shot and killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, authorities reported, labeling it an antisemitic terrorist attack during a Jewish festival.
The shooting at Australia’s most famous surf beach on a clear Sunday sent waves of panic through terrified crowds at a tourist hotspot that symbolizes the country’s love of the sea.
Details of the Tragedy
The youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl who died in a children’s hospital, while the oldest was 87 years old. Additionally, 42 people were hospitalized, including two police officers.
The morning after the attack, a grassy hill overlooking Bondi Beach was still littered with discarded items from those who fled, such as a camping table and blankets, as noted by an AFP journalist at the scene.
Onlookers gathered other belongings like flip flops, sneakers, and thermos flasks, lining them up in the sand for collection.
Global Reactions
The gunmen targeted an annual celebration that attracted over 1,000 people to the beach to commemorate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The killings triggered widespread condemnation across the globe.
Australia is mourning the victims by flying flags at half-mast, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who laid flowers at the entrance to Bondi Pavilion.
“What we witnessed was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism in an iconic Australian location,” Albanese expressed during a news conference.
He emphasized that this location, synonymous with joy and family gatherings, is now forever tarnished by the events of that evening.
Investigation and Responses
Authorities stated that the 50-year-old father possessed six licensed firearms, believed to have been used in the shooting. His 24-year-old son was reported to be in critical condition in the hospital.
Police conducted raids on two properties in Sydney, which were reportedly the homes of the gunmen, as they seek to uncover the motives behind this tragic incident.
World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed their revulsion, labeling the shooting a “purely antisemitic attack.”
A Call to Action
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australia’s government for allegedly exacerbating antisemitism leading up to the attack, stating, “Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent and do not act.”
In response to the shooting, Australian police announced an increased presence in Sydney’s Jewish communities and at places of worship.
Authorities have officially classified the shooting as a “terrorist incident.”
Community Impact
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who leads the crisis counseling center Jewish House, revealed that his brother-in-law was among the victims. He recounted the devastating moment, saying, “It’s unbelievable that this has happened here in Australia, but we need to hold strong. This is not the Australia that we know.”
As stories of terror and heroism emerge from the chaos, footage on social media captured a local fruit seller, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, bravely intervening to disarm one of the attackers.
Frenchman Alban Baton, 23, shared his experience of hiding with others in a grocery store’s cool room during the gunfire, describing the panic that ensued when the first shots were fired.
Ongoing Concerns
The foreign ministry in Iran, which has historically supported the Palestinian militant group Hamas, condemned the violent attack in Sydney.
A rise in antisemitic attacks has instilled fear among Jewish communities in Australia following the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The Australian government has accused Iran of being behind previous antisemitic incidents, leading to the expulsion of Tehran’s ambassador.
In recent months, there have been other violent incidents targeting Jewish communities, including a knife attack that left six people dead.
The post Father and son gunmen kill 15 at Jewish festival on Australia’s Bondi Beach appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
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Danny H is a real estate negotiator in Miri, specializing in residential and commercial properties. He provides trusted guidance, updated listings, and professional support through MiriProperty.com.my to help clients make confident property decisions.
