Australian authorities have confirmed that the deadly shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney's Bondi Beach was a terrorist act inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group. The attack on Sunday evening claimed the lives of fifteen innocent people and left dozens injured.
Attack Details and Police Investigation
The violence erupted at 6.47pm local time in the Archer Park area of the famous beach. Father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, armed with what police described as "long guns", opened fire on a crowd of more than 1,000 people attending a Hanukkah celebration.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated: "Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State. These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation."
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon provided critical evidence, confirming that a vehicle registered to the younger attacker contained homemade IEDs (intermittent explosive devices) and two homemade IS flags.
Perpetrators' Background and International Links
Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene. His 24-year-old son, Naveed, awoke from a coma on Tuesday and is expected to survive to face criminal charges.
Authorities revealed that Sajid Akram, originally from Hyderabad, India, moved to Australia in 1998. Indian police reported his family had "expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities".
Commissioner Lanyon also disclosed that police are investigating a trip both men took to the Philippines last month. While the exact purpose is under investigation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing an anonymous counter-terrorism official, that the pair underwent militant training in the southern Philippines in early November.
In a significant correction, police confirmed a gun licence held by Sajid Akram was issued in 2023, not 2015 as initially stated.
Victims, Heroes, and National Response
The victims, aged between 10 and 87, included members of the local Jewish community. Among those killed was 41-year-old British-born Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London. The youngest victim was 10-year-old Matilda.
In the aftermath, a hero emerged. Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, was filmed fighting and disarming one of the gunmen. He was hospitalised with bullet wounds to his arm and hand. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met his family, calling him an "Australian hero" who "represents the best of our country".
Prime Minister Albanese condemned the attack, calling IS a "radical perversion of Islam" and vowing that such "antisemitic terrorist attacks will not be successful with their objective, which is to divide us as a nation".
In response to the atrocity, state and federal leaders have vowed to strengthen Australia's gun laws. Proposed measures include:
- Capping the maximum number of guns one person can own.
- Limiting the types of legal firearms.
- Making Australian citizenship a condition for holding a gun licence.
Mr Albanese stated: "National cabinet has agreed to work together to strengthen Australia’s gun laws. Their very nature means they are only as strong as their weakest link."
As of Tuesday, New South Wales Health reported that 24 people remain in hospital, with three in a critical condition. Two police officers who sustained gunshot wounds are also among those receiving treatment.
