On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach that killed at least 15 people during a Jewish celebration. The incident involved two gunmen who opened fire on attendees before being shot by police. One suspect, a 50-year-old man, died from his injuries and the other is hospitalized in serious condition.
Albanese described the attack as “an act of pure evil, an act of anti-Semitism, and an act of terrorism.” He stated the government would take “whatever action is necessary” to prevent future incidents, including implementing stricter gun laws. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization had previously investigated the younger suspect for six months in 2019 over alleged ties to an Islamic State cell in Sydney, but at that time determined there was “no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.”
The attack left approximately 25 people hospitalized, with about 10 in critical condition. A heroic individual, Ahmed al Ahmed—a father of two girls and the son of refugee parents from Syria—tackled one suspect during the incident, wresting away a weapon before being shot himself. Al Ahmed is now recovering in a hospital after his injuries. A donation page established for his support has raised over $1.9 million.
Albanese emphasized that the attack “tarnished” Bondi Beach—a location historically associated with family gatherings and celebrations—saying it was “forever tarnished by what has occurred.”
