Terror Attack at Jewish Hanukkah Celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach Leaves Eleven Dead

Eleven people were killed in a shooting incident at Sydney's Bondi Beach during a Jewish religious event today. According to witnesses, approximately 50 shots were fired during the attack that occurred about two hours ago. Police have confirmed that one of the gunmen was killed in retaliatory fire, while around 11 people, including police officers, have been injured. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has officially classified the shooting as a "terrorist incident".

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes in Bondi as "shocking and distressing". In a statement, he said: "Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier. We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police."

At approximately 2:17 pm IST (7:47 pm Australian time), New South Wales police announced on social media platform X that they were responding to a "developing incident" at Bondi Beach, warning anyone in the area to "take shelter". In their latest update, NSW police stated: "Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition."

Footage from the scene shows two gunmen dressed in black firing into the crowd.

The attack occurred during the first night of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the gunmen opened fire shortly after 6:30 pm local time when hundreds had gathered at the beach for a seaside celebration marking the beginning of the Jewish festival.

An attendee at the event told The Herald that the attackers indiscriminately targeted children and elderly people. Video footage showed bystanders performing CPR on victims.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stated that Australians are in deep mourning, "with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi". She added: "The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the Prime Minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities. This attack occurred as our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate."

Ley further expressed: "My heart is with Australia's Jewish community tonight, particularly those in the eastern suburbs of Sydney people I know well. Today we stand together as Australians against hate in this moment of profound tragedy and shock."

The Australian Jewish Association criticized the Albanese government over the shooting, stating that Jews in the country are concerned about their future. "What happened tonight is a tragedy but entirely foreseeable. The Albanese government was warned so many times, but failed to take adequate action to protect the Jewish community. Tonight, many Jews are pondering whether they have a future in Australia. Our thoughts are with our community and all the impacted, some of whom we are close to," the association said.

The association also criticized the Prime Minister for not mentioning in his post that it was a Jewish event targeted in the attack, saying: "Doesn't even mention that it was a Jewish event. What a shameful disgrace! PM Albanese avoids even mentioning that it was the Jewish community targeted and Jews shot."