From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Gefen Bitton, Israeli critically wounded in Bondi attack, to be flown to Israel
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Gefen Bitton, an Israeli living in Australia who was critically wounded when he tried to confront one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre last month, is being flown to Israel for further treatment.
According to the Ynet news site, Bitton — whose condition has improved but is still serious — is slated to travel to Israel today in a medical transfer.
A friend told the Australian Jewish News on Monday that Bitton “is still in ICU. We’re seeing small improvements daily, as he slowly wakes up.”
Meanwhile Bitton has been granted permanent residency by Australia for his heroism, according to local news outlets. The Australian newspaper also reports that he was visited today in the hospital by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The newspaper says that Bitton awoke from his coma in recent days, three weeks after he was shot.
The Times of Israel Community.