Two gunmen kill 11 at Sydney Jewish event

Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring it a terrorist attack. One gunman was fatally shot by police, and the second was arrested.The suspect was in critical condition, authorities said. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales.

The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular and iconic beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those episodes and Sunday’s shooting were connected. They said one of the gunmen was known to the security services, but that there had been no specific threat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared it “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.” “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” the State’s Premier Chris Minns said.

The massacre was declared a terrorist attack due to the event targeted and the weapons used, Lanyon said.Hundreds had gathered for the gathering at Bondi Beach called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.

Chabad identified one of the dead as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organiser of the event.Chabad is an Orthodox Jewish movement that is known for its outreach to non-religious Jews. It runs scores of centres around the world that are popular with Jewish travellers and often sponsors large public events during major Jewish holidays.

Video footage filmed by onlookers appeared to show two gunmen with long guns firing from a bridge. One dramatic clip, apparently filmed by a member of the public and broadcast on Australian television channels, showed someone appearing to tackle and disarm one of the gunmen, before pointing the man’s weapon at him.

PM MODI condemns attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, targeting people celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. He expressed deep shock and extended condolences to the families of the victims, stating that India stands in solidarity with Australia in this hour of grief.