Bondi Beach shooting suspects traveled to Philippines before attack; Sydney mourns
. . . as investigation continues into Hanukkah Massacre; hero civilian -- Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian -- saves lives in Bondi Beach shooting as suspects’ movements revealed
The father and son accused of carrying out Sunday’s mass shooting at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach, Sydney, traveled to the Philippines in November before the attack, authorities revealed on Tuesday.
Police said the pair’s trip to Manila included a final destination in Davao, Mindanao, a region long affected by Islamist insurgencies, reports dw.com
The father entered the Philippines using an Indian passport, while the son used his Australian passport. The reasons for the trip remain under investigation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the attack, which left 15 people dead, appeared to be motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Albanese said the 24-year-old son had been investigated by the Australian intelligence agency ASIO in 2019 due to his associations with others, though he was not placed on a watch list. Police recovered two homemade IS flags and improvised explosive devices from the suspects’ car.
The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the son remains in critical but stable condition in hospital under guard. Police have yet to officially release their names.
The tragedy has left the Sydney community in mourning. Thousands have gathered at Bondi Beach to pay their respects, leaving flowers and tributes near the Bondi Pavilion.
On the second night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Yossi Shuchat lit the menorah in honor of the victims, while the Sydney Opera House projected a menorah onto its sails as a symbolic tribute.
Among the heroes of the attack is Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian civilian who tackled one of the gunmen and seized his weapon. Al Ahmed was seriously injured in the process, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to his hands and arm.
He has undergone surgery and faces further procedures, but relatives say he has “no regrets” over his actions.
Prime Minister Albanese visited him in hospital to pay tribute. A GoFundMe campaign in his name has raised nearly 2 million Australian dollars in support.
NSW Health reported that 25 victims remain hospitalized across eight facilities in Sydney, including three children, with ten in critical condition.
Two police officers were also injured during the attack.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack as a terrorist act targeting Sydney’s Jewish community, while highlighting the bravery of civilians and first responders who prevented further loss of life.
