At Least 10 Killed in Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah Event

Sydney: At least ten people were killed in a shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, according to police.

The attack took place on the opening night of the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that gunfire erupted shortly after 6:30 p.m. local time as hundreds of people gathered on the beach for an event marking the holiday.

Australia’s national broadcaster ABC said one of the shooters was among those killed and that 12 others were injured. New South Wales police later confirmed that two people had been taken into custody, with local media identifying them as the attackers.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with multiple ambulances responding. Witness Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP he saw “two shooters dressed in black” carrying semi-automatic rifles.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “shocking and distressing,” saying police and emergency crews were working to save lives. He urged people in the area to follow instructions from New South Wales police.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service said several victims were treated at the scene before being transported to hospitals across Sydney.

Robert Gregory, head of the Australian Jewish Association, said the shooting during a Hanukkah event was “tragic but entirely foreseeable,” adding that the government had been warned about the need to better protect the Jewish community.

Leaders from Australia’s Muslim community also condemned the attack. The Australian National Imams Council described the shooting as “horrific” and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, calling on Australians to unite in compassion during the aftermath of the tragedy.