Ten people were killed and at least 11 others, including two police officers, were injured after two gunmen opened fire at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, police said, adding that a major police operation is ongoing.
One of the alleged shooters is believed to be among the dead, while the second is in critical condition, police said.
“A police operation is ongoing after a public place shooting by two men at Bondi Beach earlier today. Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition. At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers,” NSW Police Force said in a post on X.
PM Albanese Condemns Attack
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes at Sydney’s Bondi were shocking and distressing, adding that police and emergency responders were on the ground working to save lives.
“The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier. We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police,” Australian PM said in a post on X.
Leader of the Opposition Condemns Attack
Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley condemned the attack, describing it as hateful violence, and expressed her solidarity with the Jewish community
Incident During Hanukkah Celebration
According to media reports, the incident unfolded during a Jewish holiday gathering at the beach, with a Hanukkah event underway when gunshots rang out, injuring several community members, including the media director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Condemns Attack
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said she was horrified by reports of the shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community and prayers for the injured.
“I am simply horrified to have been sent footage of a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community in Australia at this awful moment,” she said in a post on X.
Israeli President Herzog Offers Condolences
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences and solidarity with the Jewish community in Sydney after the shooting incident.
In a post on X, Israel’s President said, “Our hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney who have been attacked by vile terrorists as they went to light the first candle of Chanukah. I just spoke to David Ossip, the President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, who was speaking at the event as the shooting attack began. I conveyed on behalf of the entire nation of Israel our condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the wounded.”
The shooting took place on the opening night of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival. According to media reports, the gunmen began firing shortly after 6:30 p.m. (local time) as hundreds of people had gathered on Bondi Beach for a seaside celebration marking the start of the holiday.
