Shooters Inspired by Islamic State, Had Travelled to Philippines, Police Confirm

Australian police confirmed on Tuesday that the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney's Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people, is being investigated as a terrorist act inspired by Islamic State (ISIS) and targeting the Jewish community.

The two alleged gunmen were identified as father and son, Sajid Akram (50), who was killed by police, and his alleged accomplice, Naveed Akram (24), who remains in critical condition.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that "Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son."

The vehicle registered to the younger man was found to contain improvised explosive devices and two homemade flags associated with ISIS.

Police confirmed that both men traveled to the Philippines last month, and the purpose of that trip is under investigation by both Australian and Philippines authorities, where known ISIS-linked networks operate.

The attack, Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, resulted in the deaths of 15 victims, who ranged from a rabbi and father of five to a 10-year-old girl.

Ahmed al Ahmed (43) a Muslim father-of-two, who charged one of the gunmen and seized his rifle, is hailed as a hero and remains in the hospital with gunshot wounds. A GoFundMe for him has raised over A$1.9 million.

Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon visited the site and urged the Australian government to take all steps necessary to secure the lives of Jews, lamenting that Jewish Australians "are forced to worship their gods behind closed doors, CCTV, guards."

The incident occurs amid a string of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia, which the head of the nation's main intelligence agency has deemed his top threat priority.

The federal government is re-examining Australia's gun laws after police revealed Sajid Akram was a licenced gun owner with six registered weapons, having received his license in 2023.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called for a re-examination of the post-1996 Port Arthur massacre gun restrictions.

Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard warned against letting gun reform become a "diversion" from tackling anti-Semitism, arguing that Prime Minister Albanese should have done "a lot more" to fight anti-Semitism.