Two gunmen shot dead at least 15 people on Sunday at a Hanukkah event being held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday, Australian authorities said, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting Jews outside Israel in decades and the worst on Jews abroad since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Jewish leaders in Australia and Israeli officials described the deadly shooting as an outgrowth of rising antisemitism globally since October 7, 2023, with many accusing the Australian government of doing too little to protect the country’s Jewish community.

Australian officials declared the incident a terror attack, and the country’s prime minister vowed to “eradicate” antisemitism.

Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement who had worked there for 18 years, according to Chabad sources.

Authorities initially said on Sunday that 11 had been killed and 29 wounded, including two police officers. But Ryan Park, the health minister for the New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, told media on Monday morning that 16 people had died, including a child who had died of their wounds in a hospital, and that the number of wounded was “around 38.”

The death toll included the dead gunman, meaning the update brought the number of victims killed to 15.

The scene unfolded late Sunday afternoon as two men in black opened fire at the famed beach, with footage showing dramatic scenes of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks.

Eyewitnesses said they heard around 50 shots as the shooting went on for around 10 minutes.

The attack occurred as hundreds were gathered at a playground next to the beach for an event called Chanukah by the Sea, celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday.

“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

Police said the event had drawn more than 1,000 people. It was advertised as having live entertainment, food for purchase and games for children, all culminating in a grand menorah lighting.

Haim Levy told Israel’s Channel 12 news that he had been sitting with his wife, son and daughter at Bondi Beach when the shooting started.

“It was immediately clear that something [terrible] was happening,” he said. The three ran for cover, hiding behind cars in a parking lot as bullets whizzed overhead. Levy said he........

© The Times of Israel