16 killed, 29 injured in shooting at Australian beach Hanukkah event

Today is the first day of Hanukkah, but an event celebrating the Jewish festival in Australia ended in murder.

At least 16 people, including a child, have been killed at one of Australia’s most popular beaches after two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities say the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has also left at least 29 others injured.

Authorities say the attackers were a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old who are father and son. The 50-year-old is dead, while the 24-year-old is in hospital in critical condition.

One woman Australian media spoke to said her husband, who was killed in the mass shooting, was a Holocaust survivor. His name was Alex Kleytman. He is one of the many people killed in what Australian officials are calling a targeted antisemitic attack.

“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. And every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

One of the gunmen could be seen shooting from a bridge. A bystander captured on video could be seen tackling and disarming an armed man during the attack.

The man, named by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, is being hailed a hero.

His cousin spoke with the media and said, “He’s in the hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside, but they said the doctor, he’s ok. He’s a hero.”

READ MORE: Canadian politicians, community groups share support after Australia Hannukah attack

Police say officers shot and killed one of the gunmen, while a second suspect has been arrested and is in critical condition.

Witnesses described the terrifying scene, “I heard what sounded like fireworks going off. It was just multiple going off. So I sort of opened the blinds to see what was going on and I just saw an older lady getting shot and she was on the floor, saw an older guy get shot, very badly injured.”

Officers are examining a number of what they describe as suspicious items, including several improvised explosive devices found in one of the suspects’ cars.

The investigation is ongoing.

Here in Canada, the Hamilton Jewish Federation is holding a Hanukkah event Sunday night. They say it is not being cancelled because hiding is not an option.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X on Sunday morning saying, “Horrified by the antisemitic terror attack that has stolen the lives of 11 people at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach today in Australia. Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation.”

Premier Doug Ford also shared a post saying, “As we come together in support of our Jewish friends and neighbours to grieve this terrible attack, we must all stand with our Jewish community against hate and antisemitism wherever it is found. I am praying for the victims and their loved ones, and that all those responsible for this attack are swiftly brought to justice.”

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