Australian police say Bondi Beach massacre linked to ISIS

Australia’s federal police have described the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which killed 15 and injured dozens, as a "terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State," officials confirmed December 16, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities said the suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The elder man, identified as Sajid Akram, was shot dead, while his son remains hospitalised.

Political and law enforcement leaders said the identification of the suspects’ ideological motives was based on evidence, including “the presence of ISIS flags in the vehicle that has been seized,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

As of Tuesday, 25 people remain in the hospital, 10 in critical condition, including three children. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old. Among the wounded is Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born fruit shop owner who was captured on video tackling one of the attackers, disarming him, and safely securing the firearm. Albanese visited Al Ahmed in the hospital on Tuesday, describing him as “a true Australian hero.”

The attack has reignited calls for tighter gun laws in Australia, which already has strict firearm regulations. Albanese and state leaders pledged reforms that could be the most sweeping since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 35 people were killed. Officials noted that the elder suspect had legally acquired a cache of six weapons.

“The suspected murderers… appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims,” said Commissioner Krissy Barrett. “It appears the alleged killers were interested only in a quest for a death tally.”

Authorities revealed that the suspects had travelled to the Philippines from November 1 to 28, arriving in Davao. A vehicle seized from the scene, registered to the younger suspect, contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed.

While groups like Abu Sayyaf have historically expressed support for ISIS, Philippine authorities reported no recent indications of foreign militants in the region.

The response of bystanders and lifeguards has been widely praised. Bondi lifeguards, including Rory Davey and Jackson Doolan, assisted victims and ensured safety amid the chaos, risking their own lives to help others.

Thousands of Australians have visited Bondi Beach to pay tribute, leaving flowers at an impromptu memorial. Israel’s Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, joined local Jewish leaders at the site, expressing solidarity with the community. In a remarkable show of public support, close to 50,000 blood donation appointments were booked on Monday, more than double the previous record.

By Aghakazim Guliyev