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 left fifteen innocent people dead and dozens more injured.
Details of the Attack and Investigation
The incident occurred at approximately 6:47pm local time in the Archer Park area of the popular 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 over 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 Naveed Akram contained homemade IEDs (intermittent explosive devices) and two homemade IS flags. Police are also investigating a trip both men took to the Philippines last month, with reports suggesting they underwent militant training.
Victims and the Aftermath
The victims of the attack ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old. Among those killed was British-born Eli Schlanger, 41, the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, who grew up in north London. The youngest victim was 10-year-old Matilda.
New South Wales Health confirmed that 24 people remain in hospital, with three in a critical condition. Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds during the response.
Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene. His son, Naveed, woke from a coma on Tuesday and is expected to survive to face criminal charges.
National Response and Gun Law Reform
In the wake of the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, condemning IS as a "radical perversion of Islam". He praised the actions of Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner who was filmed disarming one of the gunmen, calling him a hero who "represents the best of our country".
Mr Albanese also announced that national cabinet had agreed to work together to strengthen Australia's gun laws. Proposed measures include capping the number of guns one person can own, limiting legal firearm types, and potentially making Australian citizenship a condition for holding a gun licence. The Prime Minister emphasised that gun laws are "only as strong as their weakest link".
The attack, targeting the first night of Hanukkah, has prompted a national conversation on security, extremism, and community cohesion in Australia.
