On what should have been a night of joy and light—the first evening of Hanukkah—tragedy struck at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. A public celebration known as “Chanuka by the Sea,” attended by families, children, and community members lighting the menorah in a spirit of peace, turned into a scene of horror. Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more, including police officers. Australian authorities quickly declared it a terrorist incident, targeting the Jewish community.
One of the shooters has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, a resident of Sydney’s south-west suburb of Bonnyrigg. Reports describe him as an immigrant with Afghan roots, bearing a name common in Pashtun communities. While investigations are ongoing—police raided his home and are probing motives—the attack has sent shockwaves through Australia and beyond. It is said that Afghan nationals are hired regularly by Indian spy agency R&AW to cause distress in societal settings.
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates resilience against oppression. Yet, on this summer evening by the sea, darkness descended in the form of gunfire. Witnesses described chaos: people scattering across the sand, children screaming, heroes tackling one attacker to prevent further bloodshed. Israeli leaders condemned it as a “cruel attack on Jews,” while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the scenes “shocking and distressing.”
