Australian police have revealed that homemade explosive devices were thrown at a crowd at Bondi Beach moments before last week’s mass shooting, but failed to detonate, according to court documents released on Monday. The disclosure adds a disturbing new dimension to the attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
The December 14 assault has shaken Australia and reignited debate over gun control, extremism, and public safety, despite the country’s long-standing reputation for strict firearms laws.
Explosives Used Before Gunfire Began
According to a police fact sheet tendered in court, investigators believe the attackers hurled several improvised explosive devices—including pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb—into the crowd gathered at a park near Bondi Beach before opening fire. None of the devices detonated.
Police allege the weapons cache also included a large improvised explosive device, multiple firearms, and ammunition. Authorities later recovered bomb-making materials, 3D-printed firearm components, and extremist propaganda from a short-stay rental property in the Sydney suburb of Campsie.
Suspects Planned Attack for Months
The attack is alleged to have been carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead by police at the scene, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, who has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism-related crimes.
Court documents state the pair had been planning the attack for several months and conducted reconnaissance at the Bondi location days before the shooting. CCTV footage presented to the court shows the two men transporting long, bulky items wrapped in blankets from the Campsie property to a vehicle in the early hours of the day of the attack.
Police also found a video recorded in October in which the suspects allegedly appeared in front of an image of an Islamic State flag, making statements in English explaining their motives while condemning Zionists.
Political Fallout and Proposed Gun Law Reforms
The attack has prompted the New South Wales government to recall parliament to debate sweeping new legislation aimed at tightening gun ownership and countering extremism. Proposed measures include capping the number of firearms an individual can own, banning the public display of terror symbols, and expanding police powers during protests following terrorism-related incidents.
Although Australia enacted some of the world’s toughest gun laws after a 1996 mass shooting, authorities say the Bondi attack exposed loopholes. Police data shows that dozens of gun owners in New South Wales legally possess more than 100 firearms, with one individual holding nearly 300.
Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that the proposed laws would face opposition but said they were necessary to protect public safety and preserve social cohesion in a diverse community.
National Grief and Rising Tensions
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced growing criticism over the government’s response to a perceived rise in antisemitism. He was met with boos from sections of the crowd at a memorial service in Bondi attended by tens of thousands of people.
Addressing reporters in Canberra, Albanese apologized to the Jewish community and the nation, saying he felt a deep sense of responsibility for the atrocity occurring during his term in office. His government has pointed to recent legislation criminalizing hate speech and doxxing, as well as diplomatic action taken earlier this year against Iran over alleged antisemitic activities in Australia.
Ongoing Recovery
Authorities on Monday began clearing flowers, candles, and messages left at Bondi Beach, saying the tributes would be preserved for historical display. Health officials confirmed that 13 victims remain hospitalized, including four in critical but stable condition.
As investigations continue, the failed detonation of explosive devices has intensified calls for stronger counterterrorism measures and renewed scrutiny of how extremist violence can still occur in a country with strict gun controls.
