Mass Shooting Attack During Chanukah Celebration in Sydney Leaves Dead and Dozens Injured

Gunfire erupted late Sunday afternoon during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, in what is being investigated as a suspected terror attack targeting the Jewish community. According to Israel’s ZAKA International Unit, at least 10 people have been killed and around 60 injured so far, as the incident remains ongoing and details continue to emerge.

The shooting broke out during “Chanukah by the Sea,” a public Chanukah event organized by Chabad of Bondi and attended by an estimated 2,000 members of the Jewish community. The event was held in the open at one of Sydney’s most popular beaches and was intended as a family-friendly celebration marking the holiday.

The incident triggered widespread panic as gunfire was heard across the beach. Footage circulating from the scene shows hundreds of people fleeing the shoreline in chaos, with many running barefoot through nearby streets and taking cover wherever possible. Witness videos also show multiple victims lying on the ground as emergency responders attempted to treat the wounded.

According to initial reports, the shooting began while community leaders were speaking on stage. Attendees described sudden confusion and fear as people scattered in all directions. Additional footage from the scene shows several victims receiving CPR, while others were treated by large numbers of police officers, paramedics, and emergency personnel who rushed to the area.

ZAKA’s international unit said the incident is still unfolding and cautioned that casualty figures remain preliminary. In a statement, ZAKA the shooting was “with suspicion of a mass-casualty incident. It appears to involve gunfire directed at a Chanukah celebration of the Jewish community. Further details to follow.”

In a later update, ZAKA said the shooting was being treated as a terror attack. “Update from Australia: this is a terror attack against the Jewish community. Approximately 60 people have been injured and around 10 killed so far. The terrorists have been neutralized. Further updates to follow,” the organization said. 

Reports indicate that two suspects were involved in the attack. One was neutralized during the incident, and both were arrested by security forces. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog was informed of the attack while attending the Aliyah and Integration Award ceremony honoring pioneering immigrants. Herzog halted the ceremony to address those present, referring directly to the events unfolding in Australia.

“At this very hour, our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia, are under a terror attack while lighting the Hanukkah candle at a Chabad event at Bondi Beach,” the president said. “Many Jews who came to light the first Hanukkah candle in one of the most magnificent Jewish communities in the world were attacked by vile terrorists.We have warned the Australian government again and again of the need to uproot the criminal and spreading antisemitism in Australia,” he said. “Our hearts skip a beat wherever Jews are harmed. We pray for the recovery of the injured, offer our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen, and hope for better news.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar said, “Like every Jew around the world, I am shocked by the murderous attack against our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia, and together with all Israeli citizens, I send a heartfelt embrace to the Jewish community there. Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state was an official authorization for the cursed terrorists to attack Jews. The blood of our brothers and sisters is on your hands.” The remarks were made as part of his response to the attack and were attributed directly to the minister.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer also addressed the incident, saying, “We have felt the intense antisemitism directed at the Jewish community in Australia. Our hearts are with the community, and we stand in solidarity with them.”

The “Chanukah by the Sea” event was promoted as a communal celebration under the slogan: “Come celebrate the light of Chanukah together with the community. Bring your friends, bring your family, let’s fill Bondi with joy and light.”

As of publication, Australian authorities have not released official casualty figures, and the investigation remains ongoing. Emergency forces continue operating at the scene, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.