Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that the deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was driven by “Islamic State ideology,” marking one of the country’s worst attacks in recent years.

Attack During Hanukkah Celebrations
A father and son, identified as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, opened fire on crowds gathered at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The attack killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and two Holocaust survivors, and left dozens injured.

Authorities said the attack appeared to be aimed at spreading fear within the Jewish community.

Signs of Radicalisation
Speaking to national broadcaster ABC, Prime Minister Albanese said early investigations suggest the attackers were motivated by an “ideology of hate” linked to Islamic State. Police later recovered improvised explosive devices and homemade Islamic State flags from a car registered to Naveed Akram parked near the beach.

Investigators are also examining the pair’s recent travel to the Philippines, where they spent much of November, including time in Mindanao, a region with a history of Islamist insurgency.

Security Agencies Under Scrutiny
Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram had come to the attention of Australia’s intelligence agencies in 2019 but was not assessed as an imminent threat at the time. Authorities are now facing questions over whether earlier intervention could have prevented the attack.

Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram remains in a coma under police guard.

Renewed Gun Control Debate
The shooting has reignited debate over gun laws in Australia. While mass shootings have been rare since sweeping gun reforms were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the Bondi attack has raised concerns about private gun ownership and online weapon access.

Prime Minister Albanese said the government would review existing laws, particularly those that allowed Sajid Akram to legally own multiple firearms.

National and International Reaction
World leaders condemned the attack, with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar offering condolences during a visit to Israel. Israeli officials also renewed concerns about rising antisemitism globally.

Across Australia, thousands lined up to donate blood, while a growing memorial of flowers and candles has formed near Bondi Beach as mourners pay tribute to the victims.