Australian police have revealed that the two alleged gunmen who carried out a deadly attack on a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach had travelled to the Philippines shortly before the assault and appeared to be inspired by Islamic State (IS).
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The attack on Sunday, described as Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community. At least 16 people were killed, including one of the alleged attackers, while dozens were injured.
Police identified the deceased gunman as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by officers at the scene. His 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice, Naveed Akram, remains in critical condition in hospital after also being shot by police.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Tuesday that both men had travelled to the Philippines last month and that the purpose of the trip was under investigation. Philippine authorities have also launched their own inquiry into the matter. Officials noted that Islamic State-linked networks have operated in parts of the Philippines, particularly in the southern Mindanao region.
“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son,” Commissioner Barrett told a news conference. She stressed that the alleged actions were linked to extremism and not to any religion.
Police said the vehicle registered to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade flags associated with IS. Investigators believe the attackers opened fire on hundreds of people during a roughly 10-minute rampage at the popular tourist destination, forcing crowds to flee and seek shelter before police intervened.
Around 25 survivors are receiving treatment in several Sydney hospitals, while two police officers remain in critical but stable condition.
On Tuesday, Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon visited Bondi Beach and laid flowers at a growing memorial near the Bondi Pavilion. He urged the Australian government to take stronger measures to ensure the safety of Jewish communities, saying Jews were increasingly forced to worship under heavy security.
The attack has renewed scrutiny of antisemitism in Australia, which intelligence officials have described as a top threat to public safety. It has also sparked debate over gun laws, after police confirmed that Sajid Akram was a licensed gun owner with six registered firearms. Authorities clarified that his gun licence was issued in 2023.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said federal gun laws would be reviewed, while former prime minister John Howard cautioned against allowing gun law reform to distract from addressing antisemitism.
Among the victims were a rabbi who was a father of five, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl, Matilda Britvan. Tributes continue to pour in, and Bondi Beach, though reopened, remained largely quiet as mourners gathered to pay their respects.
One survivor, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim father-of-two who confronted one of the attackers and seized his rifle, remains hospitalised with gunshot wounds. He has been widely hailed as a hero, and a fundraising campaign in his name has raised more than A$1.9 million.
