Bondi shooting as it happened: 15 victims confirmed dead following massacre, PM to strengthen gun laws

They had come together to mark a powerful ritual; to spread light in the ever-expanding darkness.

But what should have been a time of hope, symbolised by the nightly lighting of candles across the eight day Chanukah festival, instead saw the Jewish community plunged further into fear, deep grief and despair.

As the nation reeled from the horror of Sunday’s Bondi terror attack, heartbreaking details started to emerge about the brilliant, bright lives that were cruelly cut short.

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Naveed Akram, the 24-year old who conducted the Bondi Beach massacre with his father, Sajid Akram, was investigated six years ago by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation for a relationship that raised concerns that he was a security threat.

ASIO dropped the investigation into the then-teenager six months later even though his father, an immigrant who never took Australian citizenship, joined a gun club, got a hunting licence and bought six weapons.

Jewish leaders blamed the Government for not doing enough to fight anti-Semitism, including permitting weekly anti-Israel marches that often include chants such as “Death to the IDF” that call for the killing of Jews.

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Marika Pogany

The 81-year-old was named as another victim of the attack, and was reportedly sitting in the front row of Sunday’s event.

Mrs Pogany, was a long-time volunteer for Sydney’s Centre of Activity, delivering more than 12,000 kosher meals on wheels.

Tibor Weitzen

The man, 78, died trying to shield a friend who also lost her life.

His granddaughter said the family was broken, and in disbelief.

A video of Naveed Akram speedily reloading his gun is circling the internet.

The alarming footage shows the 24-year-old aggressively pulling the trigger of his weapon as he fires in multiple directions.

Dressed in all-black Naveed was accompanied by his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram.

Sajid was shot and killed at the scene by police. Naveed was also shot but remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Shocking details have emerged about Sajid legally possessing six firearms.

WATCH FOOTAGE BELOW:

Anthony Albanese receives backlash on social media after posting a seemingly optimistic statement.

In response to the devestating terrorism attack on Bondi that left 12 people dead and 27 in hospital the Prime Minister took to X to say “we will come through this together”.

“Today I convened National Cabinet to respond to the act of terror and antisemitism in Bondi last night,” the post wrote.

“We stand with Jewish Australians and we stand against hatred and violence.

“Australia is stronger than those who try to divide us and we will come through this together.”

Online commentary, criticising the PM’s hopeful stance, began instantaneously.

“Speaking as a Jew, i think you are a total failure,” one wrote.

Another wrote: “Mr Albanese, don’t try to sidestep the issue by talking about gun laws or pretending you will now take action,

“Have the decency to step aside out of respect for the victims and the traumatised.”

Australia’s leaders have agreed to work together on tighter gun laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shootings.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened national cabinet on Monday afternoon to discuss a coordinated response to the terrorist attack.

Leaders have asked their police ministers and Attorneys-General, led by NSW and WA, to develop options for reform including looking at capping the number of firearms any individual can own, restricting which guns are legal, and making Australian citizenship a condition of holding a gun license.

They’ll also seek to speed up the implementation of a national firearms register, which is slated to take four years to develop at this stage.

The Commonwealth will also immediately start work on further restrictions of weapons imports, including 3D printing, novel technology and firearms equipment that can hold large amounts of ammunition.

“Leaders agreed that strong, decisive and focused action was needed on gun law reform as an immediate action, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement, first established after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, to ensure it remains as robust as possible in today’s changing security environment,” they said in a joint statement after the meeting.

Lifeblood Australia has put out an urgent plea for blood donations to help victims of the December 14 Bondi terror attack.

In a statement on Instagram, Lifeblood said they have “transferred blood from multiple states to support the need in Sydney”.

Lifeblood urges O blood type individuals in particular to donate after they received several life-threatening orders for O negative blood.

Australians from any state are urged to walk-in and donate blood. Currently the Lifeblood website is down, but bookings can be made on a second website or by calling 13 14 95.

https://account.donateblood.com.au/

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More than $1.1 million has been raised across three different GoFundMe’s so far for Bondi victims and the hero that tackled one of the gunmen.

In just 14 hours nearly $800,000 has been raised for Ahmed Al Ahmed following his heroic act of bravery where he intervened and wrestled a weapon off one of the shooters.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the ordeal and is currently in hospital.

Another has seen more than $167,000 raised in honour of 10-year-old Matila Poltavchenko, the youngest identified victim that was caught up in the horrific tragedy.

Set up by Matila’s language teacher, the donations from the GoFundMe will go towards her family.

While a third fundraiser set up to again support Mr Ahmed and families affected from the terror attack has seen donations upwards of $160,000 pour in.

Former Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg has slammed the Labor Government’s lack of infrastructure in place to avoid terror attacks from unfolding.

“It was a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, and my heart goes out to the families of the loved ones who have been injured and those who have been killed,” he told the ABC.

“The question has to be asked how has this happened in our country?

“There’s clearly been failures across the board and there needs to be a transparent and public inquiry to understand what has gone wrong.”

The former deputy leader of the Liberal Party further condemned Anthony Albanese for ignoring warning signs that a tragedy could unfold.

“Day after day, the Jewish community has been subject to an unprecedented level of intimidation, hate and violence,” Frydenberg further told the ABC.

“Each time it’s been put to our leaders, political and civil, they’ve sought to downplay the significance of it.

“This was not an isolated, spontaneous event. What were the warnings that were missed?

“There must be personal responsibility for what has transpired.”

Footage of a man wrestling a weapon from one of the shooters quickly went viral on social media immediately following the attack.

The man was identified as 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed who has been in hospital receiving treatment for the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained during the horrific attack.

His parents have now said their son still has several bullets stuck inside him after he was shot four to five times in the shoulder.

Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed told the ABC they had been advised that some of the bullets were stuck deep in bone.

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