Today, a bloody attack occurred on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during the celebration of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. Two men with rifles opened fire on the crowd watching the festive events. As a result of the attack, at least 12 people were killed, including one of the shooters, and another 29 people were injured, including children.
According to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, the attack was planned and targeted the Jewish community of Sydney. “This is a horrific, evil attack that shattered a night of peace and joy,” he stated in his address.
Witnesses report that during the Hanukkah celebration, which had over 1000 people in attendance, gunshots suddenly rang out. One witness, Barry, noted that “bodies were lying on the ground” after the two men opened fire from a bridge.
Police confirmed that one of the shooters was neutralized, while the other is in critical condition in the hospital. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mel Lanyon announced the start of a large-scale investigation led by the counter-terrorism unit.
This attack has become the deadliest in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 35 people were killed. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the shooting, calling it “an expression of sinister anti-Semitism.” He extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.
The global community has already begun to express its outrage over this attack. Leaders of countries, such as Volodymyr Zelensky, have expressed their condolences and called for a fight against terror and hatred, which must have no place in our society.
