Sydney Terror Attack: Bondi Beach Turns into Bloodbath as Pakistani Gunmen Target Jewish Festival

A horrific terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration has left at least 15 people dead and around 40 others critically injured, shocking Australia and the international community. New South Wales Police confirmed that the attackers, identified as a father and son, were Pakistani nationals residing in Australia. One of the attackers was killed during a police encounter, while the other remains critically injured in hospital.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the gunmen were highly trained and practiced, indiscriminately firing at festival attendees, including children. Reports indicate that even a 10-year-old girl was among the victims, underscoring the attackers’ ruthless jihadist motives.

Among the injured was Arsen Ostrovski, recently returned from Israel, who had taken charge of the Sydney office of the Australia–Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). During the attack, Ostrovski sustained a head injury and was treated on-site. He described the chaotic scene to local media: “It was absolute panic. I didn’t know where the shots were coming from. Blood was flowing from my body. I saw people hit and falling to the ground. My only concern was for my children and family. For a while, I couldn’t find them, but thankfully, everyone was safe.”

Another eyewitness, Jewish chaplain Vlad from the State Emergency Service, said: “It was pure carnage. Delays in ambulance services caused two additional deaths, including an elderly man and woman.” The attack has struck at the heart of Sydney’s Jewish community, particularly in Bondi Beach, which is home to approximately 40,000 Jewish residents. Around 1,000 people had gathered for the seaside Hanukkah celebration when the attack occurred.

Vlad recounted his personal heroism during the chaos, shielding his 8-year-old son with his own body from gunfire. He emphasized, “Those killed were not strangers. They were our people—people we met every day, our community members, including our rabbis.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, noting that Israel had repeatedly warned the Australian government of potential terrorist threats, but preventive measures were reportedly not taken.

The Bondi Beach massacre highlights not only the global reach of Pakistan-based jihadist networks but also the vulnerability of minority communities, even in countries considered relatively secure. The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger intelligence cooperation and stricter counter-terrorism measures in Australia and internationally.