Israeli authorities have launched their own parallel investigation into the mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left at least 12 people dead and several others injured,
probing whether hostile groups like Hezbollah or Hamas may have played a role in the attack, sources told CNN-News18.
Officials are probing links to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organisation with a global jihadist footprint and a history of targeting Jewish and Western interests beyond South Asia. Lashkar-e-Taiba was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including the assault on the Chabad House, which specifically targeted Jewish civilians.
Israeli intelligence officials are also probing whether the Jewish community in Sydney may have been the intended target — either directly or through symbolic selection — as part of a broader pattern seen in past overseas attacks against Jewish and Israeli interests.
Multiple intelligence inputs reviewed by Israeli agencies are assessing whether the attack fits into these terror groups’ long-documented strategy of outsourcing violence to non-state militant groups, a model that allows these terror organisations plausible deniability while advancing their anti-Israel and anti-Jewish agenda globally.
As per sources, Hezbollah is under the lens due to its long history of overseas operations. Hezbollah has previously been linked by Western intelligence agencies to surveillance activities, fundraising networks, and logistical infrastructure targeting Jewish and Israeli sites in Australia and other Western countries.
Investigators are further assessing whether the attackers may have been ideologically influenced by Hamas, particularly in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, sources added.
Netanyahu Slams Australia
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australia’s Anthony Albanese government of having fuelled antisemitism in the period leading up to the mass shooting.
While speaking at a government meeting in Dimona, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that Canberra’s stance in the months leading up to the attack had contributed to a climate of hostility against Jewish communities.
“Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent; it retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve,” he added.
The Israeli Prime Minister accused the Australian government of inaction despite what he described as clear warning signs.
“Instead of action, your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action. You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today,” Netanyahu said.
What Happened At Bondi Beach?
At least 12 people were killed, and several others were injured after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,000–2,000 attendees at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.
As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors.
New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed the incident and said that twelve people were killed in the shooting, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged gunman is in critical condition. At least 29 others have been injured, two of whom are police officers.
They further said that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues.
