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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been asked to respond to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that blamed the Government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood for the rise of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia.

Mr Albanese avoided answering the question, instead saying, “This is a moment for national unity”.

“This is a moment for Australians to come together. That’s precisely what we’ll be doing.”

He added that authorities had done an “extraordinary job”.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon says two NSW police officers injured in Sunday’s attack are in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

“The thoughts of NSW Police are with those officers and their families,” Mr Lanyon said.

The two Bondi Beach gunmen were father and son, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has confirmed.

Naveed Akram, 24, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, while his 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene on Sunday.

Mr Lanyon also confirmed there was no third shooter involved in the attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach was an “act of pure evil”.

“This was an attack deliberately targeted at Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which, of course, should be a joyous celebration,” he told reporters.

Mr Albanese said flags will fly at half mast across the country on Monday.

“Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our nation’s history, but we as a nation are stronger than the cowards who did this,” he added.

Mr Albanese also thanked world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who have reached out.

“We thank you for your sympathy and your solidarity with Australia.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are addressing reporters in Sydney.

Mr Minns confirmed that 15 innocent people died in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.

The NSW Premier says the ages of those killed range from 10 to 87 years old, and that 42 people were in hospital overnight receiving treatment.

“The Jewish community in NSW are absolutely devastated this morning and it’s our responsibility to our community and let them know that ordinary Australians, regular Australians, are in their corner and thinking of them this morning after this terrible, terrible targeted attack on what should have been a joyful event that they have every right to share with their community on Bondi Beach last night,” Mr Minns said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has confirmed a French man is among the 16 dead after the deadly Bondi shooting.

“It is with immense sadness that we learned that our compatriot Dan Elkayam would be among the victims of the vile terrorist attack that struck the Jewish families gathered on Bondi Beach in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah,” Mr Barrot wrote on X.

“We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the bereaved Australian people.

“This ignoble act is a new tragic manifestation of an outrageous outpouring of antisemitic hatred to which we must put a stop.

“France will spare no effort to root out antisemitism wherever it emerges, and to combat terrorism in all its forms. The lights of Hanukkah must not go out and will not go out.”

FBI Director Kash Patel has shared on X that he had “been in touch with our counterparts in Australia regarding the horrific attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney”.

He said the agency was providing the “requested assistance” to Australia.

“Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney and says he had warned his Australian counterpart that the Government’s support for Palestinian statehood would fuel anti-Semitism.

Gunmen opened fire during an event marking the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s ⁠Bondi Beach, killing at least 16 people in what Australian officials described as a targeted anti-Semitic attack.

One of the suspected gunmen was also killed.

Mr Netanyahu said the shooting was “cold blooded murder”.

He added that in August he had told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‌in a letter that the Australian Government’s policies were promoting and encouraging anti-Semitism in ‍Australia.

“I wrote: ‘Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the anti-Semitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets’,” Mr Netanyahu said in a speech.