Sydney: Australian security agencies on Tuesday confirmed that the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was carried out as an act of terrorism, saying the attack was driven by extremist ideology linked to the Islamic State group.
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that investigators now believe the assault, which left 15 people dead, was ideologically motivated. The conclusion follows the recovery of evidence from the scene, including extremist symbols found inside a vehicle connected to the suspects.
The attackers were identified as a father and son, aged 50 and 24. Authorities said the older suspect was killed during the police response, while the younger man remains hospitalized under guard. Their identities have not been publicly released.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said intelligence gathered after the attack, including items seized by investigators, pointed clearly toward extremist inspiration. He added that the findings were shared after careful assessment by federal and state agencies.
The shooting occurred on Sunday during a Hanukkah event attended by families at one of Australia’s most visited beaches. Victims ranged from a 10-year-old child to an 87-year-old elderly person. At least 25 people remain in medical care, with 10 listed in critical condition. Three of the injured are being treated at a children’s hospital.
One of those hospitalized is a man who intervened during the attack and was seen in widely circulated footage confronting one of the gunmen and forcing him to drop his weapon. Officials praised his actions, noting that his intervention may have prevented further loss of life.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that a vehicle linked to the younger suspect contained homemade explosive devices and two flags associated with the Islamic State group. He also confirmed that the suspects had traveled overseas last month, including a visit to the Philippines, a trip now under scrutiny as part of the investigation.
The attack has reignited debate over national security and firearm access. Although Australia has some of the world’s strictest gun laws, officials disclosed that the older suspect had legally acquired six firearms. In response, Albanese and several state leaders announced plans to push for tougher restrictions, marking what could be the most significant overhaul since reforms introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
As the investigation enters its third day, questions continue to mount over intelligence gaps, public safety preparedness, and protection for Jewish communities amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide. Authorities said multiple agencies remain involved as they work to piece together the planning, motivations, and possible international links behind the attack.
