Lifesavers hold three minutes of silence at Bondi for Hanukkah terror attack victims

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian surf lifesavers line the shore of Sydney’s Bondi Beach and fall silent to honour the 15 people shot and killed when terrorists fired into crowds at a Jewish festival marking Hanukkah by the sea.

Scores of rescuers stood by the water’s edge along the entire length of the beach, six days after the two alleged assailants carried out one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia’s history.

The elder gunman, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police. His 24-year-old son, Naveed, survived and remains in hospital under police guard, facing charges including terrorism and 15 murders.

Facing the ocean while wearing their red-and-yellow uniforms, the lifeguards observe three minutes of silence.

Some cry or hug each other at the morning ceremony, with a surf lifesaving helicopter hovering overhead, television images show.

Volunteer surf lifesavers across the country, who number more than 200,000, are being asked to join the homage in solidarity with those affected by the Bondi attack before starting their morning patrols.

Bondi lifesavers stand shoulder to shoulder this morning on the first patrol since Sunday, same at Coogee & every other beach…#standtogether pic.twitter.com/XMSdQ3cBlo

— maureen Boyd (@theonlygirlhere) December 20, 2025

Ocean rescuers wanted to recognize the “tragedy that has unfolded at Bondi while also reflecting on our respect and compassion for the Jewish community targeted by this attack,” Bondi’s two lifesaving clubs say in a message.

“We pay respects to those who lost their lives, those who risked their lives, those who worked so hard to save lives, and all of us who will never forget.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.