Sydney Police detains seven over possible 'violent attack' plan amid Bondi Beach attack probe

Police in Australia carried out a dramatic security operation in a Sydney suburb on Thursday, detaining seven men after intercepting two vehicles amid fears that a violent act may have been in the making. The operation unfolded as investigations continue into the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack, though authorities stressed there was no established link between the two cases.

In a statement, the New South Wales Police said officers intercepted the vehicles after receiving specific intelligence. The force said action was taken after they were alerted that “a violent act was possibly being planned”.

🚨 During a heavily-armed police operation, Australian officers have arrested seven men in Liverpool, near Sydney. They are believed to have been on their way to Bondi Beach and are suspected to have planned another terror attack. #bondiattackpic.twitter.com/hNrZA2xDC6

— Mélanie Lacide 🎗 מזל (@MelanieLacide) December 18, 2025

BREAKING: Australian police ram a car with 5 Islamists travelling to Bondi Beach. Seems like they had info that another attack might have been imminent. The West is full of dangerous Islamists. pic.twitter.com/jbUGtBaC53 — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 18, 2025

At the same time, police were careful to distance the operation from the Bondi Beach investigation. They said they had “not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack.”

Videos from the scene showed a heavy police presence, with camouflage clad officers surrounding the area. Several men were seen sitting on the ground as officers moved around them. The suspects were detained at gunpoint, forced face down on the pavement, handcuffed and searched. One of the men appeared to be bleeding, suggesting injuries sustained during the arrest.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the men were travelling in a white hatchback with Victorian registration plates and were armed at the time they were stopped. Police later confirmed that the operation had concluded and there was no ongoing threat to the public.

The action comes just days after Sajid Akram and his son Naveed were accused of carrying out an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, killing 15 people. The shooting was described as Australia’s worst mass killing in nearly 30 years.

While investigators continue to piece together the Bondi Beach attack, authorities say they remain on high alert and are responding swiftly to any credible intelligence to prevent further violence.