Terror at Australia's Bondi Beach: Father-Son Gunmen Target Hanukkah Celebration in Horrific Mass Shooting

 

 

Australian Police were outgunned for nearly six minutes before neutralizing a depraved Father and Son duo who unleashed multiple dozens of rounds of high-powered Long Rifle rounds targeting primarily Jewish Australian attendees of a Beach Side Hanukkah Celebration just outside of Sydney.

 In a scene of unimaginable horror on one of the world's most iconic beaches, two gunmen opened fire on a joyful Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, December 14, 2025, killing 15 people and injuring more than 40 others in what Australian authorities have declared a targeted antisemitic terrorist attack.
Da New Seas World Reportvia DaniyelBondi Beach AustraliaDecember 14, 2025

Bondi Beach was scene of a Terror Attack Targeting Primarily Jewish Australians Who were gathered to celebrate at "Hanukkah by the Sea"

A depraved Father and Son duo fired rifle and shotgun rounds for nearly 6 minutes before they were neutralized by Sydney Metro Police Officers pic.twitter.com/UrfdbfcePZ

— DaKey2Eternity (@Key2Eternity) December 15, 2025

The assault, carried out by a father-and-son duo, shattered the first night of Hanukkah celebrations during the annual "Chanukah by the Sea" event organized by Chabad of Bondi. Hundreds of families, including children and elderly attendees, had gathered in Archer Park near the beach's northern end for music, menorah lighting, and traditional festivities marking the Jewish Festival of Lights.

 Bondi Beach's well-earned reputation as one of Australia's most challenging Surfing Breaks when Southern Swells forming off of Antarctica combine with Northwest offshore Australian winds for epic conditions; has now forever been tarnished by today's senseless mass shooting terrorist attack, Australia's worst ever targeting its Jewish community. 
   

A Blood-stained Tallit Prayer Shawl is a grim reminder that not all Hannukah Celebrations have been happy throughout the generations of the Jewish Diaspora.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the death toll at 15 victims, with ages ranging from 10 to 87, plus one gunman fatally shot by police, bringing the total deaths to 16. At least 42 people were hospitalized, some critically, including police officers. Improvised explosive devices were discovered in a vehicle linked to the attackers and safely neutralized by bomb squads.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as "an act of evil antisemitism" that struck at the heart of the nation. "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith," he said in a statement from Canberra. Albanese convened an emergency national security meeting and vowed to dedicate every resource to protecting the community.
The attack unfolded around 6:45 p.m. local time on a warm summer evening when Bondi Beach was bustling with locals and tourists. Witnesses described initial confusion—loud bangs mistaken for fireworks—quickly turning to chaos as gunfire rained down from a nearby footbridge overlooking the playground area.
Video footage verified by multiple outlets, including the BBC and The New York Times, captured the terrifying sequence: two men armed with long guns firing relentlessly into the crowd for several minutes. Panic ensued as attendees fled across the sand, seeking cover behind cars or in nearby streets.
In a moment of extraordinary bravery, a 43-year-old local bystander, identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, disarmed one of the gunmen after he descended from the bridge. The civilian wrestled the rifle away and pointed it back at the attacker, forcing him to retreat. Police soon arrived, exchanging fire with the gunmen. The 50-year-old father was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized under heavy guard. Authorities have indicated charges are likely against the surviving suspect.
Police raids on properties linked to the attackers in Sydney's suburbs uncovered additional evidence, though details on motives remain under investigation. One of the shooters was previously known to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) but not deemed an immediate threat. The father held a valid firearms license since 2015 for recreational hunting, prompting New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to signal potential tightening of gun laws in the wake of Australia's deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Among the victims were prominent members of Sydney's Jewish community. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a British-born assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event, was killed. Schlanger, a father of five with his youngest child just two months old, had served the community for 18 years as an emissary and chaplain. Chabad described him as "devoted" and tireless in spreading light amid rising antisemitism.
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, a Ukrainian-born retired civil engineer who immigrated to Australia, died shielding his wife, Larisa—also a survivor—from the bullets. The couple, married nearly 60 years, regularly attended the beach event with family.
Other identified victims include Reuven Morrison, a Chabad community member splitting time between Melbourne and Sydney; Dan Elkayam, a young French citizen; and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din. A 10-year-old girl and other children were among the dead, underscoring the attack's indiscriminate brutality.
The assault has reverberated globally, drawing swift condemnation. U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden both expressed outrage, with Biden calling it "shocking and unconscionable." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled it "cold-blooded murder," linking it to unchecked antisemitism. Leaders from France, the UK, and even some Muslim-majority nations denounced the violence.
Security has been heightened at Jewish sites worldwide, with Israel's National Security Council advising citizens abroad to avoid unsecured gatherings. In Australia, where antisemitic incidents have surged since October 2023—reaching historic highs according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry—the attack marks a grim escalation.
Community leaders expressed profound grief. "The irony is they were here to celebrate Hanukkah, spreading light in a world full of darkness," said lifelong Bondi resident Chaimy Eisman, who knew victims personally. Australia's special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, called it "the worst fear of the Australian Jewish community becoming reality."
As investigations continue into the attackers' backgrounds and any potential accomplices, Sydney mourns. Memorials sprang up overnight at Bondi Pavilion, with flowers and candles honoring the lost. Blood donation centers saw record turnout, a testament to communal resilience. 

Weapons Used in the Bondi Beach ShootingAustralian authorities have not officially released specific details on the exact models or calibers of the firearms used by the father-son gunmen in the December 14, 2025, attack, citing the ongoing investigation. However, based on verified video footage, eyewitness accounts, and police statements:

• The attackers used long guns (rifles and/or shotguns), described in reports as "long arms."
• One weapon was identified in footage as a bolt-action or straight-pull bolt-action rifle (commonly used for hunting in Australia, where semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s are heavily restricted).
• The second appeared to be a pump-action shotgun (e.g., possibly a Mossberg model).
• Speculation from online firearm communities (e.g., Reddit discussions analyzing videos) suggests one may have been a Beretta BRX1 straight-pull bolt-action rifle, but this is unconfirmed.
• No reports mention semi-automatic assault rifles (e.g., AR-15 or AK-47 variants), consistent with Australia's strict post-1996 Port Arthur gun laws banning most rapid-fire long guns for civilians.
• The father (50) was a licensed firearms owner with six registered guns (recreational hunting/vermin control category), and police recovered six firearms believed linked to the attack.
• Caliber: No official or reported details on ammunition caliber (e.g., common hunting rounds like .308 Winchester for rifles or 12-gauge for shotguns). Investigations into ballistics are ongoing.

These weapons align with legally obtainable firearms in New South Wales for licensed owners, prompting calls from officials (including Premier Chris Minns) for potential gun law reforms.Estimated Rounds FiredThere is no official police estimate of the total number of rounds discharged, as forensic analysis continues.

• Eyewitnesses described the shooting lasting 5–10 minutes, with reports of "dozens of gunshots" or "volleys of shots."
• Some accounts mentioned hearing around 50 rounds (one Guardian report cited witnesses estimating 50), while others noted 20–30 or more.
• Given the use of bolt-action/pump-action weapons (slower rate of fire than semi-automatics) and the high casualty count (15 killed, 40+ injured), the total is likely in the range of 50–100 rounds, but this remains speculative until ballistic evidence is released.

Police Response and Any DelaysBondi Beach is a high-traffic tourist area in Sydney's eastern suburbs, with regular police patrols, especially amid heightened security for Jewish community events due to rising antisemitism.

• The shooting began around 6:45–6:47 p.m. AEDT.
• Emergency calls were received by NSW Police at 6:47 p.m..
• Police issued a public statement at 6:57 p.m. (10 minutes later), confirming an active incident and urging avoidance of the area.
• Officers arrived promptly: A bystander disarmed one gunman, and police engaged soon after, fatally shooting the father and injuring the son. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon praised the "prompt" response, noting pre-existing patrols in the area and coordination with Jewish community security.
• Two officers were injured (gunshot wounds), indicating they confronted the gunmen directly.
• No significant delays were reported; the chaotic scene (crowded beach, fleeing crowds, IEDs in a nearby vehicle) complicated operations, but response was described as professional and rapid.
• The presence of improvised explosive devices required bomb squad intervention post-shooting, but this did not affect initial armed response.

This tragedy not only tarnishes one of Australia's most beloved landmarks but serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of hate-fueled violence. As Albanese stated, "At this dark moment for our nation, we stand united against terror."
The story remains developing, with victims, and suspects identifications ongoing, and a massive police operation underway. Bondi Beach, forever changed, stands as a symbol of both vulnerability and defiance in the face of evil.