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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday praised medical staff who operated eight operating theaters simultaneously to treat victims of a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration, while urging Australians to sustain blood donations in coming weeks.
St. Vincent’s Hospital normally staffs one operating theater on Sunday nights but mobilized eight to handle casualties from Sunday’s attack, which authorities believe was inspired by Islamic State ideology. In at least one case, a patient reached the operating table 12 minutes after arriving at the emergency department, Albanese said.
“They saved lives,” the prime minister said outside the hospital, where he thanked doctors, surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel. Many staff members traveled from as far as the Central Coast when they learned hospitals would need additional help.
More than 50,000 Australians registered to donate blood in the 48 hours following the attack. Albanese emphasized the need for sustained donations because blood products have limited shelf lives and each surgery can require up to 100 individual donations.
The attack killed Boris and Sophia Gurman, married for 60 years, and Reuven Morrison, all of whom fought back against the attackers. Ahmed El Ahmed, another person who resisted, was undergoing surgery Tuesday for his injuries.
Albanese called the victims “Australian heroes” and pledged to provide law enforcement and security agencies with “whatever powers are necessary” to prevent future attacks, though he did not specify what legislative changes the government would pursue.
The prime minister acknowledged criticism that his government has not done enough to combat anti-Semitism, which he said has increased in Australia and globally since Oct. 7, 2023. His government appointed Jillian Segal as Australia’s first special envoy on anti-Semitism.
Funerals for victims began Tuesday. Albanese met with Jewish community leaders Monday night at a gathering hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
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