Media: Israeli intelligence points to foreign involvement in Sydney attack

Israeli intelligence agencies believe the Sydney attack may have been carried out by a foreign cell linked to Iran.

The nature of the attack suggests possible involvement of Hezbollah’s Unit 910, which conducts operations outside Lebanon, The Telegraph reports.

Israeli security services are also examining connections between the attackers and Hamas, as well as the Pakistan-based radical group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Australian authorities have not yet presented evidence confirming foreign involvement or support for the attack by any state or terrorist organisation.

Additionally, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linking the Bondi Beach attack to Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, stating there is no connection between the recognition and the attack.

According to the outlet, Iran could be linked to the recent attack, fitting a broader pattern of terror plots targeting Australia in recent years.

In October, Israel’s Mossad disclosed that it had foiled dozens of attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets worldwide since October 7, 2023, in countries including Greece, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Australia.

Earlier, in August, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador after accusing Tehran of orchestrating attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne, including an arson attack on a Sydney café in October 2024 and another on a Melbourne synagogue in December.

Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), stated that investigations revealed connections “between the alleged crimes and the commanders in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC.”

On December 14, two gunmen opened fire during a large Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing approximately 15 people and injuring at least 40, including two police officers, according to multiple reports.

Authorities and witnesses said the shooters fired from a nearby bridge into a crowd of families and festival-goers. One assailant was killed at the scene, while the second was taken into custody in critical condition. Investigators also discovered improvised explosive devices linked to the suspects.

The attack sparked global outrage and prompted heightened security measures, with Jewish organisations and world leaders expressing shock, standing in solidarity with the victims, and urging stronger action against antisemitic violence.

By Jeyhun Aghazada