A horrifying new detail has emerged from the December 14, 2025, terrorist attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach: video footage shows one of the gunmen deliberately making a hand signal to wave away non-Jewish bystanders, allowing them to flee before he and his accomplice opened fire on the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

The father-and-son attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly inspired by Islamic State ideology, killed 15 people—including a 10-year-old girl—and injured dozens in Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Over 1,000 had gathered at Archer Park for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, filled with joy, drumming, and candle-lighting, when the pair arrived, threw failed homemade explosives, and began shooting from a nearby footbridge.

Eyewitness and dashcam videos capture the calculated nature of the assault. One clip shows a bystander, later identified as hero Ahmed al-Ahmed, tackling Sajid Akram and disarming him after he exited his vehicle. Despite being shot multiple times, al-Ahmed saved countless lives. An elderly couple, Boris and Sofia Gurman, also confronted the attackers and perished in the attempt.

Police investigations reveal meticulous planning: the duo conducted firearms training in rural areas, filmed an ISIS-inspired manifesto condemning “Zionists,” and made reconnaissance visits to Bondi days earlier. Undetonated pipe bombs and “tennis ball bombs” were found, along with IS flags in their car. They had recently traveled to the Philippines, possibly for militant training.

The attack’s antisemitic motive was clear, targeting the heart of Sydney’s vibrant Jewish community during a festival of light. Victims included families, a rabbi, and visitors from overseas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of pure evil,” prompting national mourning, a minute’s silence, and proposals for stricter gun laws despite Australia’s already tight regulations.

Heroes like al-Ahmed, hailed globally and visited by leaders, embody resilience amid tragedy. Vigils with flowers and candles transformed Bondi into a site of solidarity, as the nation grappled with rising extremism linked to global conflicts.

This revelation of the gunman’s selective hand gesture—sparing some while condemning others—underscores the attack’s hateful intent, deepening the trauma for survivors and the Jewish community. As Naveed Akram faces multiple murder and terrorism charges from his hospital bed, questions swirl about missed warnings and security lapses.

Australia’s response includes blood donation surges and unity pledges, turning darkness into defiance. Yet the scars remain on Bondi’s sands, a reminder of hate’s devastating reach in a peaceful nation.