Australia Mourns 15 Victims of Bondi Hanukkah Shooting

Australia observed a national day of mourning on Thursday for the 15 victims of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, when two gunmen targeted a Hanukkah celebration, marking the country's deadliest attack in decades.

Flags flew at half-mast from government buildings and other institutions across the nation, symbolizing collective grief for the tragedy that claimed mostly Jewish lives, including a 10-year-old child. The assault occurred during the first night of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating light over darkness, at an open community gathering organized by the Chabad Jewish center in Bondi, led by Rabbi Ullhman. The event, which included activities for children, music, and a sense of joy, turned deadly when gunfire erupted, shattering the peaceful seaside neighborhood known for its large Jewish community and iconic crescent beach.

A minute's silence was held at 7:01 p.m. Sydney time, broadcast on major television and radio channels. Commemorations centered at the Sydney Opera House, where relatives of the victims, community leaders, and officials gathered for speeches, prayers, candle lighting, and video tributes. Additional memorials took place at Bondi's...