Bondi Beach Shooting: Hanukkah Attack Leaves 11 Dead, First Victim Identified

A mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has left 11 people dead and 29 injured. The attack targeted a large Hanukkah celebration on Sunday evening. Australian authorities have declared the incident a terrorist act.

Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

The first victim has been identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger. He was a local community leader attending the festive event. This tragedy has shocked the nation and drawn international condemnation.

Rabbi Schlanger Remembered as Dedicated Community Leader

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was 40 years old. He served as a Chabad emissary in Bondi Beach for 18 years. According to The Jerusalem Post, he was a longtime shliach dedicated to his community.

He is survived by his wife and children. This includes a two-month-old baby. Schlanger was educated at Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch and Yeshiva Brunoy in France.

Just weeks before the attack, he hosted a memorial for other slain Jewish leaders. The event honored victims of past terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the United Arab Emirates. His loss has created a profound void in the local Jewish community.

National Response to a “Devastating Terrorist Incident”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation. He called the shooting a “devastating terrorist incident.” He stated it was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians during a time of celebration.

Albanese convened the National Security Committee as a matter of urgency. He vowed to eradicate the hate that fueled the attack. The Prime Minister emphasized that an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.

The “Hanukkah by the Sea” event had over 2,000 attendees. Two terrorists opened fire into the crowd. Police and emergency services responded quickly to the scene at the popular beachfront location.

The investigation is ongoing. Security has been heightened around Jewish institutions across Australia. The global community has expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.

This Bondi Beach shooting marks one of Australia’s deadliest terrorist attacks in recent years. The identification of Rabbi Schlanger personalizes a national tragedy. The nation now mourns while authorities pursue justice.

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When and where did the Bondi Beach shooting happen?

The attack occurred on Sunday evening at Bondi Beach in Sydney. It targeted a Hanukkah celebration event known as “Hanukkah by the Sea.” Hundreds had gathered for the first night of the Jewish festival.

How many casualties were there?

Officials confirm 11 people were killed. Another 29 individuals sustained injuries in the attack. The first victim publicly identified was Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Has a perpetrator been identified?

Authorities have stated two terrorists carried out the shooting. The investigation is active and ongoing. Specific details about the assailants have not yet been fully released to the public.

What has been the official government response?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared it a terrorist incident. He convened the National Security Committee urgently. The government condemned the act as antisemitic terrorism targeting Australian values.

Why is this attack significant for Australia?

It is one of the deadliest attacks on Australian soil targeting a religious group. It occurred during a public festival, heightening national shock. The event has triggered serious security reviews and national grief.