Australian authorities have confirmed that the mass shooting which killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney&rsquo;s Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State, as details of the incident and the suspects&rsquo; planning continue to emerge.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Tuesday, federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators had established that the attackers were driven by extremist ideology. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the assessment was based on evidence recovered during the investigation, including Islamic State flags found inside a seized vehicle linked to the suspects.
The attack took place on Sunday at Australia&rsquo;s most famous beach, where families had gathered for a Hanukkah event. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years. Authorities said 25 people remain hospitalised, including 10 in critical condition. Three of the injured are being treated at a children&rsquo;s hospital.
Among those injured was a man who was filmed intervening during the attack, appearing to tackle and disarm one of the assailants before pointing the weapon away and placing it on the ground.
Officials revealed that a vehicle registered to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices as well as two homemade Islamic State flags. Investigators also confirmed that the suspects had travelled to the Philippines last month, with police now probing the purpose and locations of that trip.
Barrett said the suspects showed &ldquo;no regard for the age or vulnerability of their victims&rdquo; and appeared focused solely on maximising casualties. She added that the coordination of the attack suggested deliberate planning.
As public anger and questions mounted over security lapses and the safety of Jewish communities amid rising antisemitism, national and state leaders pledged to tighten Australia&rsquo;s already strict gun laws. Albanese said the government was considering sweeping reforms, the most significant since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, after it emerged that the older suspect had legally acquired six firearms.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were examining how the suspects were able to plan and carry out the attack and whether warning signs had been missed.
The massacre has shaken Australia, where mass shootings have been rare for decades, and has renewed debate over gun access, counterterrorism measures and the protection of vulnerable communities.

Tributes poured in at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting

15 killed at Sydney Hanukkah event; police confirm ISIS-inspired terror attack

Bondi Beach shooting inspired by Islamic State

15 killed at Sydney Hanukkah event; police confirm ISIS-inspired terror attack

December 16, 2025 | 16:49 IST