On Sydney's Bondi Beach, everything seemed usual. The Jewish community was celebrating the festival of Hanukkah amidst music, dance, and joy. It was then that Ahmed Al Ahmad and his cousin Jozay Alkanj, both natives of Syria, found themselves there. Ahmed had fled the Syrian civil war a decade ago and had embraced a new life in Australia.
Ahmed operates a fruit shop in Sydney. On Sundays, his shop remained closed. He decided to take a leisurely walk to Bondi Beach with his cousin Jozay. They were offered food at the beach, but both declined the invitation as they craved a good coffee.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that even when offered food at Bondi Beach, the duo politely declined as they were drawn to the allure of coffee.
The Syrian Hero Emerged
The next morning, outside St. George Hospital in southern Sydney, Jozay Alkanj poignantly recounted how his cousin took two bullets to the upper left shoulder while heroically tackling a terrorist.
A decade prior, Ahmed Al Ahmad had left Syria for Australia. The fearless act of confronting a terrorist and seizing his gun marked Ahmed's indelible courage.
Jozay recounted, "We were walking behind parked cars when suddenly gunshots echoed. To our horror, two men were firing close by."
Gunfire Amidst Coffee
The incredible images from the scene at Bondi Beach depict a gunman in a black shirt and white pants, holding a black bag, shooting at a gathering crowd from near two dumpsters by Campbell Parade car park.
The gunfire began while Jozay and his cousin Ahmed were enjoying their coffee.
Describing the unforeseen chaos, Jozay said, "We were petrified with the sudden gunfire; it seemed like the end was near."
Ahmed consoled his cousin, and with a determined resolve said,
"I'm going to die; please watch over my family and tell them I took a stand to save lives."
Ahmed made his way towards the shooter, stealthily closing in by ducking behind parked cars. Upon getting close enough, Ahmed courageously tackled the terrorist, wresting the rifle from him until the adversary fell back to the ground. Ahmed then aimed the rifle back at him.
Placing the rifle against a tree, Ahmed withdrew, while another bystander pursued the attacker, hurling something as he neared the bridge.
Footage from another angle showed the gunman regrouping with a second assailant on the bridge shortly before Ahmed took two more bullet hits.
Currently, Ahmed is undergoing treatment after surgery at St. George Hospital.
Outside the hospital, Ahmed's father called his son a hero while speaking in Arabic. "I saw him last night, and he seemed fine, grateful to the Almighty for enabling him to help save innocent lives from these monsters. He's our hero," his father said with pride.
In the meantime, Australia is rallying to support Ahmed through a crowdfunding effort that has already amassed $300,000, led by Car Hub Australia. Donations have poured in from individuals like American billionaire Bill Ackman, who contributed $100,000, and Car Hub added $50,000.
16 Lives Lost, 40 Injured
The horrific terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach during the Hanukkah festivities on December 14, 2025, tragically claimed 16 lives, including a 10-year-old girl. The assailants, father and son Sajid Akram (50) and Naveed Akram (24), left an indelible scar. Sajid was shot dead by police on-site, while Naveed, injured, remains in police custody at the hospital.
Over 40 individuals were wounded in the attack, with several in critical condition. This antisemitic terror assault targeting the Jewish community was underscored by Islamic State flags found in the attackers' vehicle. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the assault as "pure evil," demanding stricter gun control laws.
