Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack Kills 15, Including a British-Born Victim

What began as a peaceful holiday celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach ended in horror when gunmen launched a deadly shooting spree, leaving 15 dead — including a London-born rabbi and father of five — and dozens injured.

15 people, including a child and a British-born rabbi, were killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in what authorities described as a brutal act of antisemitic terrorism.

The attackers, a father and son, struck at the close of a summer day, turning a joyful Jewish festival into one of the deadliest shootings in Australia in nearly 30 years.

The violence unfolded at the "Chanukah by the Sea" event, a community celebration featuring family-friendly activities such as face painting and a petting zoo. Crowds had gathered to mark the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival when chaos erupted.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores." He added, "Bondi Beach [...] is associated with joy, associated with families gathering [...]. It is forever tarnished by what has occurred."

The 50-year-old gunman was shot dead by police, while his 24-year-old son was injured and taken to hospital, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87. Another 42 people were treated at local hospitals, with several in critical condition.

Among the dead was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five who served as assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and helped organise the ill-fated event.

Schlanger, who was originally from Temple Fortune in north London, had recently written to Albanese urging stronger support for Israel. His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis of Brighton, told Jewish News, "How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light [...] have his life ended in this way?"

In a poignant moment, a video recorded by Schlanger before Rosh Hashanah resurfaced online in the wake of his death. In it, he said, "I know it's going to be one of those good years." The clip has since taken on tragic significance.

Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of one Israeli citizen, while French President Emmanuel Macron said French national Dan Elkayam was also among the victims.

In the midst of the bloodshed, a civilian's act of courage became a rare moment of hope. A bystander was captured on video tackling and disarming one of the gunmen.

Footage verified by The New York Times showed the man approaching the shooter from behind, between two parked cars, before wrestling away a long gun.

Premier Chris Minns, who viewed the footage, called the civilian "a genuine hero" and said many lives were likely saved because of his actions. Albanese also praised the courage of emergency workers and ordinary citizens, stating, "People rushing toward danger [...] that's who we are."

The video quickly spread across social media, where tributes to the man's bravery poured in. "That hero deserves a medal showed pure courage with zero fear [sic]," said one person.

Another wrote, "Beyond heroic. He risked being shot by not only the shooters but the responding police officers too. 🙌" "Hero indeed!" commented one, while another shared, "Wow amazing bravery [sic]! What a guy x"

A further comment added, "Absolute hero! We need to ensure this man is given the recognition he deserves not only for saving tens of lives but putting his own life at risk from the perpetrators and possibly being shot by police for mistaken identity."

As investigators continue to examine the motive behind the attack, the community remains in mourning — both for those lost and for the sense of safety shattered at one of Australia's most beloved public spaces.

Heavily armed police stand guard near Bondi Beach after two gunmen launched a deadly attack during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, 2025. The assault, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured dozens more, unfolded as families gathered for the Jewish "Chanukah by the Sea" festival.

Shaken by the chaos, people embraced and consoled one another in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting on December 14, 2025. The emotional toll of the attack — which struck during a family Hanukkah celebration — left bystanders traumatised as emergency services secured the area.

Emergency responders treated victims directly on the grass as chaos unfolded around them. With medical kits and water bottles strewn across the scene, volunteers and professionals worked side by side to tend to the wounded and save lives in the crucial moments after the attack.

Mourners embraced near a growing sea of floral tributes left for the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting. Pairs of shoes, candles, and handwritten notes lay scattered on the pavement — quiet markers of a community united in sorrow and solidarity.

Alex Ryvchin, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stood in silent prayer as another helped him wrap tefillin outside a public memorial, with Israeli and Australian flags draped nearby. The ritual, steeped in Jewish tradition, offered a moment of reflection amid the grief that gripped the community in the wake of the attack.