Post by : Saif Rahman

On Monday, Australian police disclosed that before a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, homemade bombs were hurled at a gathering but fortunately did not detonate. The tragic event on December 14 during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration claimed the lives of fifteen individuals and left many more injured.

The assailants, Sajid Akram, 50, who perished in the confrontation with police, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, now face multiple charges, including murder and terrorism. Authorities found evidence indicating that the duo had meticulously planned the attack over several months, even scouting the Bondi area merely two days prior to execute their plan.

Court documentation reveals that the men possessed a range of firearms and explosives, such as shotguns, a Beretta rifle, three pipe bombs, a tennis ball bomb, alongside a significant improvised explosive device. Law enforcement confirmed that while bombs were indeed thrown towards the crowd, they failed to detonate. In their Campsie residence, police also discovered bomb-making supplies, 3D-printed firearm components, and multiple copies of the Quran.

In light of these events, the New South Wales government reconvened parliament to propose more rigorous gun regulations. Proposed measures include restricting firearm possession to four per individual (or ten for farmers), prohibiting the exhibition of terror symbols, and enhancing police powers to remove face coverings during protests. Premier Chris Minns remarked on the necessity of these actions to ensure public safety and community harmony.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced backlash over the increasing antisemitism and encountered discontent at a memorial gathering in Bondi. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, expressing regret and advocating for national unity, stating, “I feel the weight of responsibility for this atrocity and I am sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation have experienced.”

The government is also set to enact laws aimed at preventing the radicalization of children and intends to preserve public tributes from Bondi Beach for display at the Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society. This shocking assault has underscored a pressing need for stronger gun laws and enhanced measures to combat hate crimes across the nation.

#Global News #Global Updates #AsiaPacific