Sydney attack donations exceed $1.5m for Ahmad Al-Ahmad

• Donations surpass $1.5m within 24 hours to support an injured civilian intervening in a Sydney attack.
• Australian officials praise the act as instrumental in limiting further casualties. 

Donations have exceeded $1.5 million in a fundraising campaign launched to support Syrian national Ahmad Al-Ahmad, who was injured while intervening during a deadly armed attack in Sydney, Australia.

The campaign was launched on the GoFundMe platform under the title “Support the hero who disarmed the Bondi attacker”, and drew contributions from more than 26,000 donors in its first day.

Read more: Australian PM says Daesh ideology drove Bondi Beach gunmen

Al-Ahmad intervened during the attack and managed to disarm one of the assailants, an action organizers say helped prevent additional casualties. The statement described his response as spontaneous and driven by a desire to protect others amid chaos, according to the campaign description.

Attack during public celebrations

The attack took place on Sunday at Bondi Beach in New South Wales during public celebrations marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Australian police said the incident resulted in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to 42 others.

Police confirmed that the two attackers were a father and his son. Authorities said the father, aged 50, held a valid firearms license and legally owned six weapons. An additional six firearms were seized at the scene.

Official response

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited Al-Ahmad in hospital and publicly acknowledged his actions, describing him as a “true hero”. Officials also confirmed that one of the attackers was killed during the incident.

Read more: Australian, US officials hail Syrian Bondi rescuer as hero

Australian authorities said investigations into the circumstances of the attack are ongoing, including how the assailants accessed the area and whether warning signs were missed.

Public support grows

Al-Ahmad remains hospitalized and is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the intervention. Organizers of the fundraising campaign said the funds will be used to support his medical care and recovery.

Hanukkah, which commemorates the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in 165 BCE, is observed this year between December 14 and 22.

Australian officials have reiterated calls for calm, while emphasizing that the actions of individual civilians should not be seen as a substitute for public safety measures and law enforcement responsibility.