14.12.2025
At least 12 people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Dec 14, Australian officials said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the “shocking and distressing” attack, which Australian police are calling a “terrorist” incident, was “beyond comprehension” as assailants fired on a gathering celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Mr Albanese said: “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith.”
A fruit seller identified as Ahmed al Ahmed tackled the gunmen and his action saved more lives.
The 43-year-old Ahmed who can be seen in a video dressed in a white tee-shirt approached one of the shooters who was holding a rifle, tackling him, and grabbing his weapon, an act that saved many more lives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saluted the Bondi beach hero during a governmental meeting in Dimona. “We saw an action of a brave man–turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him–that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews.”
Netanyahu said he had warned Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese that the country’s policies “fuel antisemitism”.
Ahmed al Ahmed owns a fruit business in Sutherland Shire, a district south of Sydney. According to his cousin Mustafa, who spoke to Australian media outside the hospital, Ahmed has no experience handling firearms. He was simply visiting Bondi Beach when the shooting occurred and decided to act.
During the struggle, Ahmed was shot twice by the second shooter stationed on the bridge. The injuries were to his arm and hand, and he had to undergo surgery that same Sunday night. “We hope he’ll be okay,” said Mustafa. “He’s a hero, one hundred percent.” Agency reports