Sydney Bondi Beach Attack Motivated by ISIS Ideology, Confirms PM Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Naveed Akram had previously been on the radar of Australia's intelligence agency in 2019.

The deadly mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives appears to have been motivated by "Islamic State ideology," according to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The father-son perpetrators, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah festival at the iconic beach location on Sunday evening.

Police confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, died at the scene after being shot by officers, while his son Naveed, 24, remained in critical condition in hospital following the attack, which authorities have categorized as an antisemitic terrorist act.

While officials had initially provided limited information about the attackers' motivations, Prime Minister Albanese offered new insights into the radicalisation behind what he described as "mass murder."

"It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology," Albanese stated. "The ideology that has been around for more than a decade that led to this ideology of hate, and in this case, a preparedness to engage in mass murder."

The Prime Minister also disclosed that Naveed Akram had first come to the attention of Australian intelligence services in 2019, though he wasn't considered an imminent threat at that time. "He was drawn to their attention because of his association with others. Two of the people he was associated with were charged and went to jail, but he was not seen at that time to be a person of interest," Albanese explained.

During the attack, the pair, armed with long-barrelled firearms, fired indiscriminately at beachgoers for approximately 10 minutes before police intervention resulted in the father's death and the son's arrest. Naveed now remains in a coma under police guard.

Health authorities reported that 25 individuals were still hospitalized, with 10 in critical condition, including children among those receiving treatment.

One heroic bystander, identified by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as Ahmed al Ahmed, was captured on video apparently tackling and disarming one of the attackers before pointing the weapon at him and subsequently placing it on the ground. He is among those currently receiving medical care.

The violence shattered what had been a peaceful summer day at Bondi Beach, where thousands had gathered, including hundreds of attendees at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration marking the beginning of the Jewish festival with food, activities, and a petting zoo.