Hanukkah Under Fire: What Happened at Bondi Beach in Sydney and Why It Became a Worrying Signal

Sunday, December 14, 2025. Bondi Beach in Sydney — a place usually associated with the ocean, sun, and a sense of freedom. This evening, about two thousand people gathered here to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah and light the first candle together.

The festival of lights ended with gunfire.

How it happened

According to eyewitnesses and media reports, two armed men in black camouflage opened fire on the crowd from a bridge located near the beach. They shot from rifles, deliberately — at people, among whom were many women and children.

Videos from the scene quickly appeared online. The footage shows the attackers shooting at the beach as if at targets in a shooting range. Panic ensued. People ran, fell, tried to shield children, hid behind barriers and structures.

The police arrived promptly, but the tragedy could not be avoided.

Victims and initial data

According to the Australian edition of Sky News, the death of at least 10 people has been confirmed. The international division of ZAKA later clarified: about 60 people were injured, some seriously. The organization CHABAD reported the death of its representative.

Exact figures may be adjusted, the investigation continues.

Eyewitness testimonies

The newspaper Jerusalem Post quotes Shia Brauner, a member of the Sydney Jewish community. According to her, a pro-Israel conference was taking place a few minutes’ walk from the beach at that time.

“Mass panic began. It was an event organized by Chabad, mainly for parents with small children. Australians are not used to this. People were pushed further down the beach for safety. I am now trying to calm a friend — she was nearby but, fortunately, was not harmed,” she said.

A hero amidst chaos

There is a separate report about a man who stopped one of the attackers with his bare hands, risking his own life, while the second terrorist continued shooting. His actions, according to eyewitnesses, saved dozens of people.

Reaction of the Jewish world

The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman made a statement:

“In Sydney, Australia, on the first day of Hanukkah celebrations, a brutal terrorist attack was carried out. Unknown individuals opened fire on guests and rabbis during the ceremony. 60 people were injured, more than 10 were killed. I pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded.”

Context that cannot be ignored

The attack occurred on the anniversary of the founding of HAMAS, against the backdrop of a sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Australia over the past year. This fact is now actively discussed as a possible element of the attackers’ motivation.

Australian authorities have already announced increased security measures at mass events and places associated with the Jewish community. But questions remain — and there are many.

Not just an attack, but a signal

These were not military personnel, not politicians, and not representatives of law enforcement agencies. These were ordinary people, who came with their families to celebrate Hanukkah — a holiday of light, miracle, and hope. That is why what happened in Sydney is perceived not as a local incident, but as a troubling marker of how vulnerable Jewish communities remain even in countries considered safe.

Such events require not only news coverage but also deep reflection — which is what NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency is engaged in, telling how anti-Semitism, terrorism, and global instability intersect with the real lives of people.