A tragic shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, resulting in 16 deaths and at least 40 injuries. The assailants, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, targeted the Jewish community in what has been classified as a terrorist act by Australian authorities. Sajid was killed by police at the scene, while Naveed remains critically injured and under police guard in the hospital. Their homes in Bonnyrigg and Campsie have been raided as part of the investigation.
Sajid Akram was a licensed firearms holder, possessing six registered guns, which were reportedly used in the attack. Authorities also discovered improvised explosive devices in their vehicle that failed to detonate. In a remarkable act of bravery, bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, aged 43, managed to disarm one of the gunmen, sustaining injuries in the process but preventing further casualties.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced intentions to tighten gun laws, including limiting personal firearm ownership, conducting periodic license reviews, and utilizing criminal intelligence to assess eligibility for license holders.
The attack has sparked concerns about escalating antisemitism in Australia, with Jewish leaders and survivors criticizing the government’s failure to adequately protect the Jewish community. This shooting is now regarded as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, representing a somber moment in the nation’s history and highlighting urgent discussions around public safety and community protection.
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