A terrorist attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killed at least 11 and injured dozens, authorities say, marking the deadliest antisemitic attack since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel.

The shooting occurred as roughly 2,000 people gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Police say the attack deliberately targeted the Jewish community, involved at least two gunmen, and included improvised explosive devices found nearby. One attacker was killed, and another is in critical condition.

“One of the alleged shooters in the deadly attacks at Bondi Beach in Sydney was Naveed Akram, a man from the city’s south-west, according to a senior law enforcement official,” ABC News reported.

Video captured of the attack shows a long shootout between the terrorists and law enforcement. One terrorist was taken down as he fired at the Jewish celebration by an unarmed civilian, who can be seen in footage wrestling the gun away from the attacker.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with bodies on the sand, blood everywhere, and wounded victims carried on surfboards due to a lack of stretchers. The event was packed with hundreds of families, with children ending up under fire from the terrorists.

World leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israel’s Chaim Herzog, condemned the “vile” terrorist attack on civilians, condemning antisemitism.

“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration,” Rubio said. “Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.”

“At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach,” Israeli President Chaim Herzog said. “Our hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives.”

The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, reacted, “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.”

Yet the initial response of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese neither mentioned the Jewish identity of the victims nor the Hanukkah celebration.

The statement from Australia’s Prime Minister, no mention of Jews, no mention of Hanukkah, not a single word on terror or anti-semitism. pic.twitter.com/9zNa6qfb6Y

— Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) December 14, 2025

Albanese has been a vocal critic of Israel, and split with the United States at the United Nations to endorse an anti-Israel resolution that called on it to withdraw from “occupied” Palestinian territory.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton slammed the decision, saying Albanese “sold the Jewish community out for ‘green’ votes.”

The Bondi massacre occurred amid a sharp rise in antisemitism across Australia since October 7. Jewish communities have faced antisemitic chants at rallies, synagogues have been firebombed, threats from healthcare workers, intimidation on university campuses, and vandalism of Jewish leaders’ homes. Intelligence reporting has linked some attacks to foreign-backed Islamist networks, yet the government has been slow and cautious in assigning blame.

Among the victims of the shooting was Arsen Ostrovsky, a prominent voice against antisemitism across the globe who recently moved to Australia from Israel.

“I saw blood gushing in front of me,” Ostrovsky said in a local interview after the attack. “I saw people hit, saw people fall to the ground. My only concern was, ‘Where are my kids? Where are my kids? Where’s my wife? Where’s my family?’”

“It was an absolute bloodbath, blood gushing everywhere,” Ostrovsky said. “October seventh, that’s the last time I saw this. I never thought I would see this in Australia.”

“I lived in Israel the last 13 years,” he said. “We came here only two weeks ago to work with a Jewish community, to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty, ravaging hatred.”

One of the attackers has already been identified as Naveed Akram, and authorities are reportedly raiding his Sydney home.

There’s no bigger sports stage in the United States than the NFL, and this season — thanks to a New England Patriots running back — the NFL shined a spotlight on the plight of persecuted Christians.

Once a year, players can choose any charitable cause to raise awareness and money for through a unique cleat design, which the players wear for their “My Cause, My Cleats” game. The Special Olympics, cancer foundations, and youth sports initiatives are all popular picks for players. But TreVeyon Henderson, who in recent years became a Christian, chose t0 highlight the Global Christian Relief and the work they do to help the 380 million persecuted Christians around the world.

“When you read the Bible and you look at what Jesus teaches us and warns us about the persecution we will face for following him … there’s not much awareness about it,” Henderson said. “It really just opened my eyes because the things Christ was warning about are still happening today.”

Global Christian Relief CEO Brian Orme knows Henderson from his days playing football at The Ohio State University. Orme has followed Henderson’s rookie year, and noticed earlier this season that the NFL star was sharing the Christian organization’s posts on X. It was the start of a strong relationship with Henderson and Global Christian Relief. The running back became a monthly donor — then told Orme he wanted to amplify the organization through “My Cause, My Cleats.”

Henderson worked with his wife to design the cleats he wore on Monday Night Football on December 1.

“The blood dripping on the cleats symbolizes the blood that has been shed on the cross, the blood that’s been shed from people who have lost their lives for pursuing and following Christ,” Henderson said.

Credit: Global Christian Relief

The other side of the cleats show people holding up the Cross.

“This symbolizes the faithfulness of the persecuted church. Despite the blood that’s being shed, the one thing they’re not losing is their faith.”

“God has been using these stories to open my eyes and give me this desire to help however I can.”

In a moment when TreVeyon could’ve focused on himself, he turned his attention to persecuted Christians. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/hIwqBu0YMv

— Global Christian Relief (@GC_Relief) December 3, 2025

Global Christian Relief has seen greater exposure since Henderson’s endorsement.

“It’s a great example of what it looks like when influence meets conviction,” Orme told The Daily Wire. “Him leveraging his platform has a tremendous impact and builds credibility.”

Orme said Henderson showcasing his faith is part of a bigger movement the country has seen in recent months.

“God is choosing this moment through President Trump, Nicki Minaj, Bill Maher, all these different voices, to draw attention to what’s happening. He’s choosing this time to raise that awareness, and we’re praying that God will continue to create that momentum for the church.”

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In some parts of the world, Christians are being expelled from their families, imprisoned, and in some cases executed. Global Christian Relief provides safe housing, aid, Bibles, and legal support for Christians in the areas where it is most dangerous for them to profess their faith.

“We meet with believers in these regions, work through local churches to give them the resources that they need to not only survive, but to thrive as a life of the gospel.”

Henderson, like so many Christians in America, didn’t realize the extent of global Christian persecution. But now that he’s worked with Global Christian Relief and spread their message through football, he wants others to join the fight.

“I just hope here in the U.S., it encourages us, that it strengthens our faith to be more courageous, to be more bold, but to also have compassion for other brothers and sisters in Christ and to help however God may call you to help,” he said.

Henderson and the Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Orme said because of Henderson’s bold faith, the running back has a lot of new fans rooting for his success.

“TreVeyon, he’s a football player, but more than anything, he is a believer in Christ, and he is passionate,” Orme said. “Even just a few minutes of conversation with him, he’s gonna talk about his faith, he’s gonna talk about what God’s doing. He’s been a blessing to us.”