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Chaos erupts at Bondi Beach Hanukkah event
Sydney's Bondi Beach, usually a symbol of relaxation and community, became the scene of a violent attack on Sunday evening as a Jewish festival descended into tragedy. What began as a joyous Hanukkah celebration ended in gunfire, panic, and grief, leaving the iconic beachfront shrouded in shock.
A day of celebration
The morning had dawned bright and warm, drawing thousands to Bondi Beach. Families, surfers, and holidaymakers filled the sand and water, soaking in the summer weather. Among them was a visiting family of four, who had spent the day swimming and sunbathing before noticing preparations for Chanukah by the Sea, a Jewish community event set to mark the start of Hanukkah.
By late afternoon, the festival was in full swing. A stage hosted live performances, while activity stalls and a climbing wall entertained children. Hundreds of attendees-families with young children, grandparents, and community members-gathered in a festive atmosphere. Security appeared minimal, with metal barriers and what looked like basic bag checks at the entry point.
Gunfire shatters the festivities
The family, preparing to leave the beach around 18:00 local time (07:00 GMT), noticed nothing amiss as they crossed a footbridge from Campbell Parade. But within the hour, their evening plans were upended. While picking up pizza, the husband heard panicked shouts: "Mate, get away from here, something bad's happened."
Sirens wailed and helicopters roared overhead as police rushed to the scene. The family later learned that attackers had used the same footbridge as a vantage point to open fire on the festival. Witnesses described chaos as gunmen targeted the crowd. Barry, a father who fled with his two children, recounted lying on the ground as shooters fired from the bridge. "It was pandemonium and chaos," he said.
Aftermath and lockdown
Police quickly cordoned off the area, including the car park where the attackers had positioned themselves. A vehicle rigged with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was later discovered, adding to the tension. Nearby bars and restaurants shut down as crowds of onlookers, media, and distressed relatives gathered at the perimeter. Some pleaded with officers to reach loved ones trapped inside the cordon.
"My daughter's at the surf club just over there, and I can't contact her," one woman sobbed. The contrast was jarring: a beautiful sunset framed by the sound of music from a nearby bar, while just meters away, a deadly attack unfolded.
Community responds with grief and unity
By Monday morning, Bondi Beach was eerily quiet. Shock and anxiety hung in the air as residents and visitors grappled with the violence. Three American women-Ali Pattillo, Abby Agwunobi, and Brooke Schlesinger-watched from their apartment overlooking the scene. They had initially mistaken the gunshots for fireworks before hiding in their bathroom as the horror unfolded.
"What appealed to us most about the Australian lifestyle is that sense of security and safety and community,"
Brooke Schlesinger, Bondi resident
Ms. Agwunobi expressed fear about potential backlash, particularly amid rising anti-immigration sentiment. "My heart just goes to the Jewish community as well because... it's just such a violation to happen, especially on a holy celebration."
Mourning and resilience
An impromptu memorial took shape near a primary school, where bouquets, balloons, and an Australian flag honored the victims. Jewish community members draped in Israeli flags and wearing kippahs gathered to mourn. Yvonne Haber, a Jewish Bondi resident, said the attack felt inevitable. "We've been saying this is gonna happen. And now that it's happened... it's absolutely horrific."
That evening, hundreds converged at Bondi Pavilion, which had become a shrine. Israeli and Australian flags adorned the gates as mourners laid wreaths, candles, and pebbles from the beach. A handwritten sign read: "We stay united, no more hate, just love."
At 18:47-the time of the previous day's attack-local Jewish leaders lit a large menorah. Rabbi Yossi Shuchat urged the crowd to "spread peace and tolerance," declaring, "Light will always prevail." The gathering sang traditional Jewish songs and the Australian national anthem, their voices raw with emotion.
"Darkness has no power where light arrives... The best way to banish evil is to shine a light."
Rabbi Yossi Shuchat
