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Sydney on Alert After Terrorist Shooting at Bondi Beach
SITUATION SUMMARY | Intelligence cut off: 10:30 GMT 15 DECEMBER 2025
On the evening of 14 December, the first night of 2025’s Jewish Hanukkah festival, two gunmen opened fire at a large public Hanukkah celebration called “Hanukkah by the Sea” at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Around 1,000 were attending the event, with at least 16 deaths (including one of the gunmen) and over 40 injuries reported. The incident has been declared by authorities as a terrorist attack.
The perpetrators have been identified as a father and son, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. The terrorist attack began with the perpetrators opening fire from a bridge towards Archer Park. One of the gunmen then descended into Archer Park, believed to be Sajid Akram, who was then disarmed by a member of the public before returning to the bridge. Following a firefight with responding police, the two terrorists were neutralised, with one dying at the scene. Authorities have stated that they are not currently searching for further perpetrators.
A total of six firearms and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been located both at the scene and at two homes in Bonnyrigg and Campsie, as of 15 December. The father, Sajid Akram, was a licensed gun owner through membership of a gun club, with all six firearms believed to have been legally acquired.
INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
Bondi Attack Highlights Elevated Terror Risk to Jewish Targets
The Bondi Beach mass shooting is the deadliest terrorist attack in Australian history and the deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Attribution for the attack has so far seen potentially conflicting reports. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) reportedly “took interest” in one of the perpetrators, Naveed Akram, six years ago for ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) terrorist cell. This followed the July 2019 arrest of Isaac El Matari, the self-proclaimed head of IS in Australia, who wished to establish an “insurgency” in Australia.
Local media reports that investigators from the Australian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) believe that the two perpetrators had pledged allegiance to IS, with two IS flags reportedly found in their vehicle at Bondi Beach. A senior JCTT official has briefed that Naveed Akram was “closely connected” to El Matari.
These findings, if confirmed, would strongly suggest at least a historical connection to an Australian IS cell. However, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that intelligence authorities have informed him that there was “no evidence of collusion” and “no evidence that these people were part of a cell”. Investigations by Australian authorities remain ongoing.
In apparent contrast to the attribution to IS, whether that be via coordination with a wider network or through inspiration as lone actors, Israeli intelligence sources have briefed that the attack may have been carried out with the support of Iran or Iran-backed actors such as Hezbollah.
In August 2025, Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, was expelled due to “credible evidence” that antisemitic attacks, including an arson attack against a café in Sydney in October 2024 and a synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024, were orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Bondi Beach terrorist attack highlights the continuing elevated risk of terrorism in Western countries, particularly against Jewish targets. Other attacks in 2025 include the October 2025 ramming and stabbing attack targeting Jewish worshipers at a synagogue in Manchester, UK, during Yom Kippur, and the May 2025 shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., USA.
In addition to the elevated risk of antisemitic terrorism against targets associated with Judaism, such as synagogues, Jewish schools, and events such as Hanukkah gatherings (14 December – 22 December 2025), the winter holiday season almost certainly entails an increased risk of terrorist attacks against ‘soft targets’. Symbolic and high-visibility events, such as Christmas markets, draw large crowds and are difficult to comprehensively protect against terrorist actors.
In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, it is almost certain that security presence at Hanukkah events and synagogues will be elevated, as already reported in cities such as Berlin, London, and New York.
Travel and Safety Guidance for Australia
- Closely monitor local news reports and government alerts.
- The New South Wales (NSW) Police Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) has been activated and can be contacted at: 1800 227 228
- Expect and plan for increased security and potential disruptions in Sydney and other Australian cities during the holiday season.
- If in the event you become caught in the vicinity of an attack, follow RUN – HIDE – TELL.
- Adhere to instructions issued by authorities.
- Exercise increased vigilance at crowded events during the holiday season. The threat of terrorism is particularly elevated against targets associated with Judaism.
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