Mass Shooting at Chabad Event in Sydney, at Least 12 Killed
Australian police label the attack “terrorism” as investigations continue; questions emerge over politicization amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza
Australia | PUREWILAYAH.COM — At least 12 people were killed and 29 others injured in a mass shooting that targeted a Chabad-organized Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, according to The Guardian.
The attack prompted a major security response across New South Wales, with authorities confirming that the incident occurred during “Hanukkah by the Sea,” an annual community event organized by Chabad of Bondi.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the shooting has officially been classified as a “terrorist attack,” as investigators assess whether a third suspect may have been involved.
Police confirmed that two officers were among the injured. One individual believed to be a shooter was killed at the scene, while another alleged gunman remains in critical condition.
“Twenty-nine people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers,” Lanyon said. “The condition of those officers and the other transported are serious, but there is a range of conditions.”
‘Suspicious Items’ and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities reported that specialist units are examining several “suspicious items” discovered in the vicinity. An exclusion zone remains in place as forensic teams continue their work.
NSW Police stated that an extensive crime scene has been established and emphasized that there have been no reports of related incidents elsewhere in Sydney.
Officers urged members of the public who may have captured mobile phone footage or dashcam video to submit it to Crime Stoppers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, stating that the federal government is coordinating closely with NSW Police and will issue updates as verified information becomes available.
Context and Outstanding Questions
While early figures indicate at least 12 fatalities, authorities have not yet released final official numbers, and the motive remains unclear.
The shooting took place amid heightened global tensions linked to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has resulted in mass civilian casualties and has been repeatedly exploited politically by Israeli officials and their Western allies. Observers have warned against the instrumentalization of tragic incidents to justify further aggression or suppress legitimate criticism of Israel’s actions in Palestine.
Mass shootings are rare in Australia, where strict gun control laws have been enforced since 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. (PW)