Reports emerging from Australia indicate that authorities are investigating possible ties with –
the Islamic State terrorist organization following a shooting attack in a Jewish festival in Sydney in which 16 people were killed, including one of the terrorists. According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, high-ranking government officials indicated that two Islamic State flags were discovered inside the car used by the gunmen.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Bondi Beach, where over 1,000 people were in attendance for a ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ function to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Reports indicated that police described the shooting as taking place shortly after 6:45 pm local time. Reports indicated hearing up to 40 to 50 shots being fired.
The culprits were named as Pakistan nationals Sajid and son Naveed Akram. As per a confirmation by the police in NSW, both culprits belonged to a father-son duo, with no search being conducted for other suspects. The affected people were aged 10 to 87 years, which was stated by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
The event has left Australia shocked, not just because of the large number of deaths but because of the antisemitic motive of this attack, which took place in Bondi Beach, a place considered a symbol of an open and laid-back lifestyle in Australia. The police have now confirmed a total of 16 deaths because one of the terrorists is now dead.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeled this attack a ‘targeted attack on Jewish Australians’ and described it as ‘evil, anti-Semitism, and terrorism.’ A national cabinet will be called at 4 pm local time to address ‘tougher national gun laws in response to this attack.’
During this mayhem, a local man emerged as a hero when he challenged one of the shooters. His name was given in the Australian press as 43-year-old Sydney businessman Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner in Sydney. A video taken by a bystander shows him entering a car park and attacking the shooter from behind in an attempt to disarm him.
The attack received broad international condemnation. Indian PM Narendra Modi offered condolences and stated that “India stands in solidarity with Australia during this very difficult time and reiterates India’s ‘zero tolerance’ for terrorism.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “The US strongly condemns this terrorist attack and further added “There is no role for antisemitism in this world.” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called this attack in connection with “the demand for a Palestinian state,” which leads to “antisemitic attacks such as this one.”
The Bondi Beach massacre is the most fatal terrorist attack in Australian history and the worst mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, in which 35 people were killed.
