Praise for Lebanese-Australian man who tackled Bondi Beach shooter

Praise has flowed in for a Lebanese-Australian businessman who tackled the Bondi Beach shooter during his rampage at a Hanukkah event on Saturday that left at least 11 dead.

Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, was shot twice while confronting the attacker but managed to grab the shotgun off him and aimed it at the shooter as he retreat.

Video showed Ahmed ducking behind a car before jumping at the gunman, grabbing him in a headlock from behind.

According to local media, Ahmed had no firearms experience and placed the gun against a tree after driving off the shooter. He was later taken to hospital.

“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside," his cousin Mustafa told 7News.

“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 per cent.”

A range of other figures also came forward to praise Ahmed, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him “the pinnacle of Jewish heroism”.

NEW: The man who disarmed one of the Sydney attackers has been identified 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed.

Ahmed, who is being hailed a hero for his actions, was shot 2 times. He's expected to be ok. pic.twitter.com/pDe0StPeCg

— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 14, 2025

Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales state said it was the “most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen”.

“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," he told local media.

New South Wales police said emergency responders rushed at least 29 people to hospitals from the beach following the incident, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded "terrorism" and a violent act of antisemitism.

One of the alleged gunmen was killed at the "Hanukkah by the Sea" event while the other is in a critical condition.

Police said "improvised explosive devices" had also been found in a vehicle near the beach that was linked to the "deceased offender".

"This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith – an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation," said Albanese.

King Charles III, the Australian head of state, said on Sunday he was "horrified" by the deadly shooting, calling it "a horrific antisemitic terrorist attack against Jews."