Overview
- Syrian‑Australian shopkeeper Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed one gunman at Bondi Beach and was shot, received about A$2.5 million raised by roughly 43,000–44,000 donors and delivered to him in hospital by fundraiser Zachery Dereniowski.
- New South Wales plans legislation to outlaw public display of ISIS flags, label the chant “globalize the intifada” as hate speech, and give police powers to require protesters to remove face coverings, with debate expected Monday.
- Police say the shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration was a terrorist act inspired by ISIS, reporting that two improvised ISIS flags were found in the suspects’ vehicle.
- Authorities identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24; Sajid was killed in a police shootout and Naveed has been charged with 15 counts of murder, an act of terrorism, and other offenses.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged a gun buyback and expanded tools to curb radicalization and hate, including broader offenses for incitement and tougher penalties, as investigations continue and security remains heightened in Sydney.