In one of Australia's deadliest mass shootings in decades, a father and son armed with long-barrelled guns unleashed terror at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, killing 16 people during a Jewish festival. Australian authorities have declared the Sunday afternoon massacre a terrorist incident, with links to the Islamic State (IS) group.
Attackers Identified and Terror Links Revealed
Authorities identified the assailants as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. The father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the son was critically injured and hospitalised. New South Wales Police confirmed the father legally owned six firearms, believed to have been used in the attack.
In a chilling development, investigators revealed the duo had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Two IS flags were recovered from their car parked near the beach, with footage showing one flag placed on the vehicle's bonnet. Australia's domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, had previously examined Naveed Akram about six years ago due to his close links with a Sydney-based IS terror cell. He was reportedly connected to Isaak El Matari, an IS operative jailed in 2019 for plotting an insurgency.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess confirmed one attacker was known to the agency but was not assessed as an immediate threat at the time.
Panic at a Packed Beach During Hanukkah
The shooting erupted on a Sunday afternoon when more than 1,000 people had gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah. The attackers indiscriminately targeted crowds at the popular tourist hotspot, triggering scenes of panic as families and visitors fled, leaving belongings scattered across the sand.
Social media footage captured moments of bravery amid the terror, including a bystander who confronted a gunman and wrestled a weapon away. The police response was swift, leading to the fatal shooting of the older attacker. The beachfront was left littered with discarded shoes and picnic items, stark reminders of the violence that shattered the festive afternoon.
Global Condemnation and Push for Tighter Gun Laws
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as "pure evil" and an "act of antisemitism and terrorism." He stated the government is prepared to take necessary action, including implementing tougher gun laws. "What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil... on our shores in an iconic Australian location that is forever tarnished," Albanese said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the Australian government, accusing it of "pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism" in the period leading up to the shooting. He stated, "Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent and do not act."
The attack has sent shockwaves through Australia, a nation with strict gun controls since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, and has ignited a fierce debate on national security, counter-terrorism, and firearm regulations.
