Bondi Beach shooting latest: Suspect who ‘pledged allegiance to Islamic State’ had terror link probed before attack
Ten-year-old girl was among those killed in attack at Hanukkah celebration
One of the gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach mass shooting had previously been investigated over links to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese has said.
Naveed Akram, 24, had been investigated for six months in 2019, by ASIO, the country’s domestic intelligence agency, according to ABC. It found no evidence that he had planned or considered planning any act of violence.
Counter terrorism police believe Akram and his father, Sajid, 50, had pledged allegiance to the terror group, according to the broadcaster. Two Isis flags were reportedly found in their car.
At least 15 people were killed in an antisemitic terrorist attack at an event called Chanukah by the Sea on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, police have said.
Sajid Akram is thought to have been killed at the scene, while Naveed Akram suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
A ten-year-old girl who was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital after the attack is among those who have died. At least 40 people are receiving treatment in hospital, including three other children.
Albanese has said there is “no evidence” that the pair are linked to Isis and acted as lone agents.
Recap: Everything we know after 15 killed in Australia terror attack
Fifteen people have been killed in a terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the start of Hanukkah.
A 10-year-old girl is among those dead after the attack on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival near the iconic beach at 6.47pm on Sunday.
One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at the scene, while a second attacker, 24, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said the gunmen were father and son.
At least 40 people are receiving treatment in hospital, including three other children.
How gunmen killed 15 on Bondi Beach in Australia’s worst shooting in three decades
Watch: Bondi beach attack witness says he 'stomped' on shooter's head
We won't tolerate antisemitism at demonstrations, PM Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer has said the government will not tolerate antisemitism at marches in Britain, saying he expects the police to use their powers “more robustly” in response to hate incidents.
The prime minister's spokesperson told reporters: “We've seen anti semitic incidents proliferate at these marches, and we won't tolerate that.
“And as the prime minister has said recently, in addition to the police using their existing powers more robustly, the home secretary is also looking at the cumulative effect of marches and protests and that includes looking at marches that happen in the same place every time, where they happen repeatedly, and the distress and effect that that has on parts of our community, such as Jewish people living in the UK.
“Clearly the police also have existing powers and we expect them to use more.”
'My son is a hero'- Father praises man who stopped gunman in Bondi Beach shooting
UK Chief Rabbi says cousin hid for 'terrifying' 15 minutes
UK chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has shared the “terrifying” ordeal his family went through as they hid from the Bondi attacks shooters.
The rabbi said his cousin and cousin’s wife “spent 15 terrifying minutes hiding under a doughnut stand” as the father and son opened fire.
“People to their right and left were being shot dead,” he said.
He said that the incident highlighted that the causes of “toxic antisemitism” must be addressed.
Pope Leo: 'Enough with antisemitic violence'
Pope Leo XIV has shared his condolences with the Jewish community and called on the world to “eliminate hatred”.
In a statement, he said he wished to “entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community”.
He added: “Enough with this antisemitic violence! Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts”
The Christian leader asked for prayers for people who had suffered from war or violence.
UK stands 'ready to help Australia' in wake of Bondi terror attacks
The UK stands ready to help Australia if needed in the wake of the Bondi beach shooting over the weekend, the prime minister has said.
His official spokesperson said Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, adding: “Clearly we have a very close relationship with the Australian government and we stand ready to help if needs be, but I think this is an operational matter for the Australian authorities.”
It is understood the two leaders did not speak on the phone, but exchanged messages in the wake of the attack.
Over $1.5m raised for Bondi 'hero' as he recovers in hospital
Fundraisers set up for fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed have raised over $1.5m (£1.12m) collectively after he disarmed a gunman bearing a rifle during a mass shooting.
The 43-year-old father-of-two was seen tackling one of the men to the ground and wrestling his weapon away from him during the attack.
“What we've seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger, putting his own life at risk,” Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese told state broadcaster ABC News.
Slovak woman killed in mass shooting, says president
A woman from Slovakia has been confirmed to be among the 15 victims killed in the terror attack.
“Already yesterday, I unequivocally condemned the brutal, deadly attack... Today, that grief has reached Slovakia as well — among the victims of this senseless, violent rampage was a Slovak woman, Marika,” Slovak president Peter Pellegrini wrote on X/Twitter on Monday.
Map: Terror attacks took place at world-famous beach
The terror attacks took place on Bondi Beach, a world-famous strip known for its golden sand.
It is one of Sydney’s hot spots for both tourists and locals.
According to the New South Wales government, over 880,000 domestic visitors frequented the location in 2022.
