Israeli citizen among 16 victims killed alongside one gunman in Bondi Beach terror attack, with at least 29 injured and two police officers shot during Hanukkah celebration

Australia has suffered its worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, with at least 16 people killed in a horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations.

One of the gunmen was killed and another was taken into custody, while NSW Police have begun investigating the possibility of a third attacker.

Twenty-nine people have also been hospitalised, including two police officers who were shot in the shocking act of violence.

NSW Police confirmed that the incident had been declared a terror attack, with the event unfolding during the first day of Jewish Hanukkah on Sunday.

Gunmen pictured at Bondi shooting. Picture: X

A bystander confronted one of the shooters, tackling him and taking the rifle from him. Picture: X

According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, one of the 15 victims was an Israeli citizen.

Another citizen was wounded during the attack, with Israel’s consul in Australia "expected to arrive" soon at the hospital where he is receiving treatment.

"The Israeli Embassy in Australia and the Department for Israelis in Distress at the Foreign Ministry are in contact with the family of the wounded person who is hospitalised in a local hospital," Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Israel’s consul in Australia is expected to arrive at the hospital to accompany the injured Israeli and assist his family."

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was attending the event, was the first confirmed fatality identified, according to The Times of Israel and The Australian.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger (left). Picture: Jonathan Ng

“As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight... I declare this to be a terrorist incident,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

“Unfortunately, at least 12 people are deceased at this time. Twenty-nine people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the attack was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community” on the first day of Hanukkah.

“What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack,” he said.

“This is a massive, complex and just beginning investigation. It’s just begun and there are things that tonight we don’t have the answers to.”

Authorities removed explosive devices from a car nearby to where the gunshots were fired.

NSW Police confirmed to Sky News that an operation was underway in Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s southwest, in what was believed to be the home of one of the gunmen.

Hundreds of people were seen fleeing the beachfront at about 6.40pm, with video showing two men dressed in black firing weapons near the beach carpark.

Eyewitnesses told Sky News they heard about 50 gunshots, describing “huge, black guns” and scenes of total chaos, with “everyone just running crazy”.

One of the guns used by the shooters in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. Picture: X

Shooting at Bondi Beach. Dec 14, 2025. Picture: X

Sky News understands a girl aged about 10 was among those shot after an unnamed doctor said the girl was “bleeding profusely” when emergency services arrived.

“It was chaotic. People running everywhere. There were quite a few doctors. There was an emergency medicine doctor who didn’t give his name, but he was amazing,” he said.

“He attended to the young girl, the 10 year old girl, and they almost felt that she needed to be intubated because she was losing a lot of blood. But they decided they could ship her off quickly.”

The same doctor said he treated a NSW Police officer who had been shot in the side of the head.

“Very obviously he was losing a lot of blood. A New South Wales Police officer,” the doctor said.

Extraordinary footage also emerged of a bystander confronting one of the shooters, tackling him to the ground and seizing his rifle.

A close-up image of one of the weapons appears to show a pump-action shotgun — a highly restricted firearm in Australia.

Eyewitness Vlad, a member of the Jewish community and an SES volunteer, told Sky News the shooting continued for about five minutes.

He said there were “probably 50 to 60 gunshots fired”, that he believed “a dozen were killed” and another dozen injured.

He also described the moment he threw himself over his eight-year-old son to shield him from the gunfire.

At the scene, victims were seen lying on the sand as NSW Police administered CPR, while members of the public attempted to assist the wounded along the beachfront.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the National Security Council following the attack and said the nation stood with Australia’s Jewish community.

“Our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief,” Mr Albanese said.

“As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community, we stand with you.

“We embrace you and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe.”

The national terror threat level had been set at “probable”, meaning there was a 50 per cent or greater chance of a terrorist attack.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said there was no intention to change the terror threat level after the attack.

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, who was at Bondi Beach at the time, described the shooting as a targeted assault on Australian values.

“It was a horrific attack on our way of life, a very targeted attack on our Jewish community,” she told Sky News.

“I was there when the shooting was still happening, and there were so many people. We were trying to we were trying to support people, we were trying to save people.”

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australians were in mourning at the “hateful violence”.

“This attack occurred as our Jewish community came together at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration,” Ms Ley said.

“My heart is with Australia’s Jewish community tonight, particularly those in the eastern suburbs of Sydney — people I know well.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was “appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia”.

“These are the results of the anti-semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years,” he said.

“The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses.”

Sky News host Sharri Markson said she was attending a nearby Hanukkah gathering in Dover Heights when news of the shooting emerged.

“Suddenly, people heard there’d been an incident, and people just started to race away. Everyone, including me right now, we’re hiding in the back garden,” she said.