By Aaron Miller-
Grief spread through Sydney and across the globe after a deadly mass shooting erupted during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens wounded in what authorities have described as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
Police had earlier said that the gunmen behind the attack were father and son. They have been named by local media as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram.
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Sajid died after being shot dead by police, whilst his 24-year-old son is in a critical condition in hospital. Fifteen people – including a 10-year-old girl – were killed in the attack, which Albanese also called “an act of antisemitism… [and] terrorism on our shores”
Other victims include two respected rabbis who served Sydney’s Jewish population, and a Holocaust survivor whose life embodied both resilience and compassion.
The tragedy unfolded in the late afternoon at a “Chanukah by the Sea” event hosted by the local Chabad of Bondi congregation, where hundreds had gathered to mark the start of the festival of lights. Witnesses described a peaceful crowd celebrating one of Judaism’s most joyous holidays when gunfire broke out, shattering that calm and triggering panic across the crowded beach precinct.
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Matilda, the youngest person killed in yesterday’s attack, was “a bright, joyful, and spirited child”, one of her teachers says. Image source,GoFundMeThe men had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, while IS flags were reportedly found in their car – here’s everything we know about them
The shootings targeted Jewish people attending a Hanukkah event – the victims include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer, and a Holocaust survivor. Here’s everything we know about them
The parents of bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, who was filmed wrestling a gun off an attacker, say he was shot four or five times in the shoulder – the New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has visited him in hospital
Among the dead was Matilda Poltavchenko, a 10-year-old girl remembered by friends and teachers as joyful, curious and bright. Her death has become one of the most heartbreaking symbols of the day’s violence, her family and school community struggling to comprehend the loss of someone so young whose life had only just begun.
A fundraising page established in her memory described her as a child who “brought light to everyone around her”, a fitting testament to her vivacity.
Faith leaders were also among those murdered. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, served as assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and was one of the event’s organisers. A father of five, Schlanger had spent nearly two decades fostering community and spiritual life in Sydney’s Jewish community.
Known for his warmth and dedication, he often spoke publicly about increasing light and unity in the face of rising antisemitism, making his presence at the celebration both emblematic of the holiday and of the community’s resilience. Schlanger’s death has been met with profound grief from family, friends, and congregants who saw him as a guiding presence in times of joy and challenge.
Another religious figure, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, also lost his life in the attack. A respected leader within the Chabad community, Levitan worked closely with families and congregants, helping guide spiritual life across Sydney. His passing has deepened the sense of loss within the community, depriving many of an important moral and spiritual anchor.
The tragedy also claimed the life of Alexander “Alex” Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor originally from Ukraine. Kleytman and his wife had emigrated to Australia decades earlier, seeking freedom and opportunity after surviving the horrors of World War II.
According to those who knew him, he was protecting his wife when he was killed, a final act of love and courage consistent with the life of a man who had endured unspeakable brutality only to rebuild a life in a new land. His story a life first threatened by hatred and prejudice, and then ended by a similar senseless act has struck a deep chord internationally.
Other victims included community leaders such as Reuven Morrison, a business figure who rediscovered his Jewish faith and made significant philanthropic contributions, and Dan Elkayam, a French national and celebrated local footballer whose club mourned him as both a teammate and friend.
Peter Meagher, a retired police officer beloved for his community sports involvement, was also killed. Survivors described these individuals as pillars of their communities, known for generosity, service, and devotion to others.
Authorities reported the ages of those killed ranged widely, from children to elderly adults, reflecting the diverse group that had gathered to share in the holiday’s spirit.
Immediate Aftermath and Broader Impact
Police confirmed that two gunmen carried out the attack, firing indiscriminately into crowds of families, elders, and faith leaders at the celebration. One of the shooters, a 50-year-old man, was killed by responding officers, while his 24-year-old son was critically wounded and taken into custody.
Authorities have described the incident as a deliberate assault on Sydney’s Jewish community, with early investigations categorising it as a terrorist act motivated by antisemitic hatred.
The scene at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening was one of chaos and anguish. Residents and visitors alike recounted scenes of fleeing families, frantic calls for help, and selfless acts of bravery amid terror.
In several cases, ordinary bystanders risked their own lives to shield others and disarm assailants. These interventions are credited with saving lives, although many are still grappling with physical and emotional recovery.
Emergency services rushed more than 40 wounded individuals, including children, to hospitals across Sydney. At least five of the injured remain in critical condition as medical teams work around the clock to treat gunshot wounds and trauma.
Political and community leaders have condemned the attack in the strongest terms, denouncing it as an act of terror and a stain on Australia’s multicultural fabric. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged support for victims’ families and called for stricter national gun laws in light of the scale of the violence.
He described the day’s events as a profound tragedy that has shaken the nation’s conscience and highlighted ongoing concerns about hate-motivated violence.
Jewish community representatives also spoke out about rising antisemitism both locally and internationally, urging enhanced security measures and greater societal awareness to protect communities from similar attacks in the future. International figures expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, acknowledging the shared trauma that such targeted violence inflicts across borders.
The days ahead for will families be marked by mourning and memorials. In Sydney’s close-knit Jewish community, gatherings have been organised to honour the dead, offering spaces for collective grief and reflection. Leaders emphasised the importance of preserving the memories of the victims not as symbols of violence, but as individuals whose lives enriched the lives of others.
The stories of the victims, from a little girl full of potential to spiritual leaders and survivors of history’s darkest moments are potent reminders of both fragility and resiliency as Sydney and the wider globe struggle with the fallout from the Bondi Beach attack. Their experiences highlight the terrible human cost of hatred and the ongoing necessity for communities to unite in the face of evil.
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