Bondi Beach hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed suffers health setback in US treatment
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- Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim, was celebrated globally for disarming a gunman during the December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach terror attack, the deadliest in Australia's history, saving numerous lives during a targeted assault on a Hanukkah celebration.
- While visiting the United States for advanced treatment of gunshot wounds sustained during the attack, Al-Ahmed suffered a sudden health deterioration on January 10, 2026, reporting severe pain and swelling that forced the cancellation of planned appearances in New York City.
Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the Syrian-born Australian hailed as a hero for his actions during the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025, recently experienced a health setback while seeking further medical treatment in the United States.
The incident, declared a terrorist attack by authorities, resulted in 15 fatalities and 41 injuries, marking it as the deadliest such event in Australian history.
The assault targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, with perpetrators Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly planning the operation for months and deploying firearms along with undetonated explosives.
Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim shop owner and father of two from Sutherland, intervened decisively during the chaos.
Surveillance footage captured him leaping from behind a parked vehicle to tackle Sajid Akram, wrestling him to the ground, striking him, and demanding he drop his weapon.
In interviews, Al-Ahmed described his motivation as an instinctive drive to protect innocent lives, stating he focused solely on disarming the assailant to prevent further harm to children, women, and men.
During the confrontation, Al-Ahmed sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm, requiring immediate medical attention in Australia. His bravery garnered widespread acclaim, including nearly $2 million raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support his recovery.
Authorities and community leaders praised his heroism, noting it exemplified interfaith solidarity amid the targeted attack on the Jewish community.
In early January 2026, Al-Ahmed traveled to the United States for advanced treatment on his arm injury, arriving first in Los Angeles before proceeding to New York City.
He was greeted by FBI officials upon arrival and expressed gratitude for their support.
Accompanied by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, he visited the Ohel in Queens, a significant Jewish site, for prayers and attended the prestigious Colel Chabad awards gala, where he was honored.
Al-Ahmed also voiced interest in meeting U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as a personal hero.
However, on Saturday Al-Ahmed reported a sudden deterioration in his condition via an Instagram reel, citing severe swelling and pain in his hand that forced him to cancel scheduled appearances.
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