At least ten people have died and 12 have been injured after a shooting attack by at least two assailants — one of them killed during the police response, the other detained — that occurred during a celebration of the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at the north end of the beach.
The security forces have confirmed to the ABC network the initial balance in a first estimate of the consequences of the shooting, which was initially reported by the New South Wales State Police around 9:45 a.m., the time in peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands, of the beginning of the incident. Shortly after, the police announced at least two men detained, one of them finally confirmed dead.
The country’s prime minister, Anthony Albanesehas issued a statement in which it regrets the “shocking and distressing scenes“who have arrived from Bondi and have confirmed injuries after the event.
“Police and Emergency services are working on the ground to save lives. My condolences are with every person affected. We are working with the New South Wales Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed,” he said.
Emergency services carry a person on a stretcher following a shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney. / Mark Baker / AP
Condemnation of Israel
The beach, they point out, was partly the scene of a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkahwhich begins this Sunday. Although the Australian authorities have not yet directly linked the event to the event, the president of Israel, Isaac Herzoghas denounced a “vile terrorist attack against the Jews who were lighting the first Hanukkah candles on Bondi beach.
“Our hearts are with them. The hearts of the entire nation of Israel beat strongly at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives,” he said in an official statement.
People and emergency workers gather at the site of a festive event and a reported shooting on Bondi Beach. / Associated Press/LaPresse / LAP
“We reiterate our alert again and again to the Australian government to act and fight against the enormous wave of anti-Semitism that is devastating Australian society,” he concluded.
The president of the European Parliament has also reacted, Roberta Metsolawho has linked what happened to the celebration. “I have been horrified to see the images that appear of the terrible attack on so many people on Bondi Beach as the Hanukkah celebrations begin,” she indicated on her X account.
“All my thoughts are with the victims and the wider Jewish community in Australia and beyond,” he added.
