During Hanukah Party
BREAKING: Mass Shooting Reported at Bondi Beach | WATCH [VERY GRAPHIC!]
According to Sky News, the mass shooting was aimed at 2,000 Australian Jews celebrating Chanukah at a Chabad party on the beach. There are reports of many people who have been seriously injured, though we are still confirming these.
New South Wales Police are responding to a developing incident involving reports of multiple gunshots at Bondi Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Eyewitnesses reported hearing up to 50 gunshots near Campbell Parade, the main promenade along the beach, prompting panic as people fled the area. Some accounts described individuals on the ground and possible injuries, while others mentioned a gunman exiting a vehicle and opening fire.
Multiple people are missing, with shooting ongoing at this time, as reported by Open Source Intel.
Police have urged the public to avoid Bondi Beach and for anyone in the vicinity to take shelter.
Emergency services are on scene, with reports of heavy police presence and sirens throughout the area.
The incident coincides with the first day of Hanukkah, and a public "Chanukah by the Sea" event organized by Chabad of Bondi was scheduled for Bondi Park Playground starting in the evening. Sky News has confirmed that the shooting was aimed at Jews celebrating Chanukah at the Chabad event.
New footage just released shows medics performing CPR on multiple victims, and one person dead on the ground.
One shooter has reportedly been eliminated and another armed suspect has been arrested at the scene.
Although the police also performed CPR on the alleged shooters, Open Source Intel reported that they are either dead or seriously injured.
Unverified reports indicate that 60 people have been wounded, ten have passed away and 20 people are still missing.
Chabad has sadly been confirmed that Chabad Shaliach lost his life during the shooting.
Blood-stained tzitzit have been discovered at the scene.
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar said:
“Like every Jew around the world, I am shaken by the murderous terror attack against our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia. Together with all the citizens of Israel, I send a heartfelt embrace to the city’s Jewish community.
The truth must be stated plainly, without sugarcoating it: Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state amounted to an official endorsement for the cursed terrorists to harm Jews. The blood of our brothers and sisters is on your hands.”
ZAKA is organizing to send a delegation with logistical equipment to the scene of the attack.
ZAKA is in continuous coordination with the leadership of the Jewish community and with emergency agencies and local authorities. The delegation will operate and assist in treating the deceased with dignity, identifying the deceased and accompanying the families during this difficult time.
Haim Weingarten, ZAKA's Deputy Director of Operations, said:
"This is a brutal terrorist attack that is directed against Jews because of their identity. ZAKA operates everywhere in the world where Jews are harmed, to ensure that the dignity of the murdered is preserved and to provide the families with a humane and respectful response in the most difficult moments. In this case too, ZAKA teams are prepared to assist as required."
ZAKA will continue to update with additional details as they are received.