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Australian authorities confirmed Tuesday that a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack targeting Jewish Australians celebrating Hanukkah, with officials announcing sweeping gun law reforms in response to the tragedy.
A father and son allegedly carried out the coordinated assault on Sunday, leaving multiple victims dead and two police officers in critical condition. The 50-year-old suspect, Sajid Akram, was killed by police, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, remains hospitalized and faces significant charges.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed investigators found two homemade Islamic State flags and improvised explosive devices in a vehicle registered to the younger suspect. Both men had travelled to the Philippines last month, though the purpose of that trip remains under investigation.
“On Sunday, Jewish Australians were hunted down in broad daylight at an iconic Australian beach,” Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said at a joint press conference. “The suspected murderers appear to have had no regard for the age or ableness of their victims.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking alongside New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, announced that National Cabinet had agreed to strengthen firearms laws nationwide. The reforms under consideration include limiting the number of guns individuals can own, restricting certain firearm types, and potentially requiring Australian citizenship for gun ownership.
Minns said he would introduce legislation to the state parliament before Christmas, describing it as “the toughest gun laws in Australia.” The proposed changes would allow police to use criminal intelligence, rather than only criminal records, when assessing licence applications.
The elder Akram held a valid firearms licence issued in 2023, officials confirmed. His son was previously known to authorities for alleged links to extremism, raising questions about how the licence was granted.
Police officers who responded to the attack engaged the gunmen with pistols against long-range rifles, according to Minns, who defended their actions against criticism of the initial police presence at the scene.
Blood donation appointments in New South Wales have surged to 50,000, a five-fold increase, as authorities urged residents to continue booking appointments. A menorah was projected onto the Sydney Opera House to mark the second day of Hanukkah in solidarity with the Jewish community.
The crime scene is expected to remain in place until Wednesday afternoon. A community reception centre has been established at the Intercontinental Hotel in Coogee to provide witness support and mental health services.
Albanese encouraged Australians affected by the tragedy to access mental health support through Beyond Blue, Lifeline, and Headspace.
The National Security Committee was scheduled to meet again Tuesday afternoon. Small business assistance for affected Bondi traders is expected to be announced within 24 hours.
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