Tragic Shooting Near Bondi Beach During Hanukkah Celebration

In a devastating incident on December 15, 2025, two gunmen launched an anti-Semitic attack during a Hanukkah festival near Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The attack left at least 15 people dead and numerous others injured. Remarkably, a bystander, identified as Ahmed Al-Ahmed, managed to tackle and disarm one of the assailants even after suffering multiple gunshot wounds himself.

Ahmed’s immigration attorney, Sam Issa, shared that Ahmed expressed a willingness to “do it again,” despite the severe pain he was experiencing. Issa noted that Ahmed felt a deep gratitude towards Australia, having become a citizen in 2022 after fleeing war-torn Syria.

Witnesses and footage show Ahmed swiftly approaching the gunman, Sajid Akram, and seizing the weapon. In the chaos, Akram attempted to escape but fell when bystanders intervened. Ahmed was shot in the shoulder and arm while trying to find cover behind a tree. Moments before this, he reportedly told his cousin, “I’m going to die. I want you to meet my family and let them know I went down to save people’s lives.”

Issa, who visited Ahmed in the hospital, remarked that despite his serious injuries—five gunshot wounds and multiple surgeries—Ahmed’s resolve remained strong. “He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he would do it again,” Issa stated. He also mentioned that Ahmed was unable to feel his arm, and there were concerns about possible nerve damage from one of the bullets.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist with Ahmed’s medical bills, successfully raising over $1 million in a short period. This fund has attracted contributions from over 25,000 donors, including a substantial donation of $66,500 from U.S. billionaire Bill Ackman.

The organizers of the fundraiser commented, “No one expects to be a hero, but when that moment came, he was a hero.”

Ahmed, who relocated to Australia in 2006, is a father to two young daughters, ages 3 and 6. His attorney shared that Ahmed is a modest individual who isn’t eager for media attention. “He feels a strong sense of gratitude toward Australia, and he expressed that in the most heroic way,” Issa said.

Former President Donald Trump also recognized Ahmed’s bravery, stating, “There was a very, very brave man who went and attacked one of the gunmen head-on. He saved a lot of lives.”