sydney, australia
—
At least 11 people were killed Sunday in a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach.
About 1,000 people had gathered in a grassy area at Archer Park, but at least two gunmen opened fire at 6:47 p.m. local time, sending panicked crowds running in all directions.
One of the suspects was killed on the spot and the other was taken into custody with injuries. Police believe a third suspect may have been involved, but cautioned against speculation as the investigation continues.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the massacre nearly 30 years ago, when the country introduced some of the strictest gun laws in the world.
Here’s what we know:
At least 11 people were killed when the gunman opened fire less than two hours after the Hanukkah event was scheduled to begin at 5pm local time. Australian Jewish Executive Council co-chief executive Alexander Rivchin told CNN that the victims included a 12-year-old girl and a rabbi.
The event was advertised as offering “live entertainment, music, games and fun” for all ages. Witnesses remember seeing families gathering on the lawns, beachgoers gathering, and people dancing and playing drums.
NSW Police said emergency services were called to Campbell Parade, a road along Bondi Beach, just before 7pm after reports of shots fired. Hundreds of residents and tourists fled the gunfire, many hurriedly throwing off their shoes.
Belinda Clemens was sitting on a rock near Bondi’s north side when she heard gunshots. “It sounded like fireworks, but it was kind of obvious that it was gunfire because people were running in either direction,” Clemens told CNN.
CNN features writer Amy Gunia had just arrived in Sydney from Hong Kong for a family vacation with her husband, toddler and baby. Her family had just finished an early dinner in North Bondi and were walking back south past the Bondi Pavilion when they heard a “cracking” sound.
“I thought maybe it was fireworks or some sort of celebration, so I turned around,” Gunia said. “I had two children in a stroller and I saw people running near the pavilion. I panicked very quickly.”
“There was disbelief that something like this could happen in Australia.”
29 people were injured and transported to hospitals across the city. NSW Police could not confirm the ages of the casualties, but said in advance that children and families had attended the event.
One video that has been widely shared online shows a man in a white shirt tackling one of the gunmen and taking his gun. His actions were praised by Australian authorities.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “That man is a true hero. I have no doubt that many people will be alive tonight because of his bravery.”
One suspect was killed and the other was taken into custody with serious injuries.
Police have set up an exclusion zone around a car found parked on Campbell Parade, which is believed to have been fitted with “several improvised explosive devices”.
A rescue bomb squad cleared the vehicle, and police later confirmed that the IED had been removed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the National Security Committee on Sunday night and condemned the attack.
“This was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy and a celebration of faith and faith, and an evil act of anti-Semitism and terrorism that struck at the heart of our nation,” Mr Albanese said in public.
Albanonians have been accused by the Jewish community and political opponents of not doing enough to address rising anti-Semitism.
After the October 7, 2023 attacks, anti-Semitism rates soared in Australia as Israel waged war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In addition to a special envoy to combat Islamophobia, the government has appointed a special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Gillian Segal.
Earlier this month, the Executive Council of Australian Jews, the peak body representing 200 organizations in Israel, released a report saying the number of anti-Semitic incidents remained at “unprecedented high levels”.
In 2025, 1,654 anti-Semitic attacks were reported, a 19% decrease from the 2,062 recorded in 2024. According to ECAJ, most incidents in 2025 involved verbal abuse, followed by graffiti attacks.
Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess said on Sunday Australia’s threat level remained “probable”.
“Possible means there is a 50 per cent chance that an act of terrorism will take place, and unfortunately we witnessed that horrific act take place tonight in Australia,” he said.
Jewish leaders had warned of communal hatred expressed in graffiti and arson on synagogues and other places where the Jewish community gathers.
In a statement posted to X, the Australian Jewish Federation said the tragic attack was “completely foreseeable”.
“Despite multiple warnings, the Albanon government failed to take appropriate action to protect the Jewish community,” the group said. “Tonight, many Jews are wondering whether they have a future in Australia.”
The Jewish Council of Australia said its members were left “horrified and shaken” by the attack.
“Many in our community have just received the worst news of their lives,” the group said in a statement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog interrupted a public meeting Sunday morning local time, saying, “Right now, our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia, are being attacked by terrorists while they were lighting Hanukkah candles at a Chabad event in Bondi Beach.”
“We have been attacked by despicable terrorists,” he said.
“We have repeatedly warned the Australian government of the urgent need to root out criminals and spread anti-Semitism in Australia,” Mr Herzog added.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was horrified and blamed the Australian government.
“This is the result of rampant anti-Semitism on the streets of Australia over the past two years,” Mr Searle said in a post on X.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was “shocked by the tragic scenes in Bondi” and other leaders around the world expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called news of the shooting “deeply disappointing,” and leaders of countries including France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Estonia and Lithuania also expressed sympathy.
CNN’s Katherine Nichols, Tal Shareef and Mostafa Salem contributed reporting.
