Bondi attack kills 16 as Australia weighs tougher gun laws

• Death toll from the Bondi Beach attack rises to 16 as Australia reassesses gun laws.
• Authorities investigate terror links while officials warn against rising hate-fueled violence.
  
  

The death toll from a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney rose to 16, Australian authorities confirmed Monday, as the government announced it is considering tougher gun control measures in the wake of what officials described as a “terror attack”.

Australia’s public broadcaster quoted the health minister as saying that at least 40 people were wounded in Sunday’s attack, some of them critically. The shooting unfolded at one of the country’s most popular coastal areas, triggering nationwide shock and heightened security alerts.

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Suspects identified, investigation widens

Australian police said one of the two attackers was killed during a shootout with officers, while the second sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized under heavy police guard.

Australian media identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, who was killed at the scene, and his son, Navid Akram, who is receiving treatment in hospital. Interior Minister Clare O’Neil said the father entered Australia on a student visa, while his son was born in the country.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators are examining whether a third individual may have been involved in the attack, adding that counterterrorism units are reviewing all available intelligence.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that domestic intelligence agencies had previously examined Navid Akram due to suspected links with a Daesh-affiliated cell operating in Sydney.

Investigators believe the attackers pledged allegiance to the group after the arrest of Issac Al-Matari in 2019. Al-Matari is serving a seven-year prison sentence as the declared leader of Daesh in Australia.

Government weighs tougher gun laws

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would review firearms legislation in response to the attack.

“This issue will be on the government’s agenda today”, Albanese said. “That includes limits on the number of weapons individuals can own or license, along with regular reviews of gun permits”.

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He stressed that Australia would not allow violence and hatred to fracture society, pledging firm action against antisemitism and all forms of "hate-driven" violence.

Albanese described the Bondi attack as a terrorist act, saying investigators believe it targeted Jewish Australians.

Civilian intervenes, religious leaders respond

Australian media reported that a 43-year-old man, Ahmed Al-Ahmad, managed to disarm one of the attackers during the chaos. Relatives said he rushed to help despite having no weapons training and was shot twice. He later underwent surgery.

The Grand Mufti of Australia and New Zealand, Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, condemned the attack as “a terrorist act,” stressing that no person should be targeted because of religion or nationality.

‘Israel’ reaction

From ‘Israel’, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over war crimes in Gaza, accused the Australian government of failing to confront rising antisemitism.

Netanyahu claimed what he described as government “leniency” fueled the attack and said he had warned Australian leaders in August about escalating antisemitism. ‘Israeli’ public broadcaster Kan reported that the National Security Council advised citizens from ‘Israel’ abroad to avoid unsecured public gatherings.

Australian authorities said investigations remain ongoing as the country grapples with the deadliest attack it has seen in years and debates the future of gun regulation.