11 killed in Australia’s Bondi Beach attack: Who was targeted and why

Australian police declare a terrorist incident after mass shooting at iconic Bondi Beach; death toll described as “fluid” as investigation widens

Two gunmen opened fire at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others in what police have declared a “terrorist incident” during a gathering to mark the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

New South Wales Police said emergency responders rushed 29 people to hospitals across Sydney from the popular beachfront area, one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. Authorities confirmed that one of the alleged shooters was killed, while the second suspect remains in a critical condition.

Police said they have also recovered suspected “improvised explosive devices” from a vehicle parked near the beach, which has been linked to the “deceased offender,” raising further security concerns.

Condemning the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as a deliberate act of terror aimed at the Jewish community. “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith — an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” Albanese said in a televised address.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident as security has been tightened across the city.

The attack unfolded as hundreds of people had gathered at a popular grassy area north of the beach to attend Chanukah by the Sea, an event marking the start of the Jewish festival, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Gunmen opened fire on the crowd on Sunday, triggering panic and chaos at one of Australia’s most visited public spaces. National broadcaster ABC reported that one of the shooters was among the dead, while at least 12 others were wounded in the attack.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday described the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach as a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians,” saying the incident had shaken the nation. Condemning the violence, Albanese said that “the evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension.” Reflecting on the gravity of the tragedy, he added, “There are nights that tear at our nation’s soul. In this moment of darkness, we must be each other’s light.”

The head of Australia's Jewish Association said a shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi beach during a Hanukkah event was a "tragedy but entirely foreseeable".

"The Albanese government was warned so many times but failed to take adequate actions to protect the Jewish community," Robert Gregory told AFP.

A British tourist told AFP that he saw “two shooters in black” after gunfire erupted at the tourist hotspot. “There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles,” Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP, adding that multiple people appeared to have been shot and wounded.

Videos circulating on X showed people on the beach and in a nearby park scattering as multiple gunshots rang out and police sirens blared. One video appeared to show a man dressed in a black shirt firing a large weapon before being tackled by a man in a white T-shirt, who wrestled the weapon away. Another video showed two men pinned to the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge, with officers attempting to resuscitate one of them. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the footage.

Australian media reported that two people were taken into custody following the shooting. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with police and paramedics working through the night to secure the area and assist victims. Authorities urged the public to avoid the vicinity as investigations continued.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting, calling it a “cruel attack on Jews” and urging Australian authorities to act decisively against antisemitism.

“At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews,” Herzog said in a speech in Jerusalem. He called on Australia to “fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society”.

However, Australian authorities have not officially confirmed that the Jewish community was specifically targeted in the attack.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “shocking and distressing”.

“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” Albanese said in a statement released by his office. “I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the (New South Wales) Police,” he added.

The Bondi Beach shooting came nearly 11 years after the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney, when a lone gunman held 18 people hostage. Two hostages and the attacker were killed after a 16-hour standoff, marking one of Australia’s most traumatic terror incidents.