Islamic State calls Bondi Beach shooting ‘matter of pride’, stops short of claiming responsibility

The Islamic State (ISIS) on Thursday described the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney that killed 15 people as “a matter of pride”, according to Reuters, though the group stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack.

The remarks were made in an article published on ISIS’s Telegram channel, referring to the shooting that took place during a Hanukkah celebration. Australian authorities have said the attack appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Police allege the Bondi Beach attack was carried out by a father and son. The father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in a gunfight with police at the scene. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, was critically injured and taken to hospital under police guard.

After regaining consciousness from a coma, Naveed was formally charged on Wednesday with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism-related charges, Reuters reported. A court on Thursday confirmed that proceedings against him have been adjourned until April 2026, as investigators continue probing possible Islamic State-linked networks in Australia.

Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad and held an Indian passport, Telangana police said earlier this week. He migrated to Australia in 1998 and had only limited contact with relatives in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. Police said he did not return to India even after his father’s death.

In the aftermath of the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a renewed crackdown on hate speech, as the youngest of the 15 victims was laid to rest on Thursday. Albanese said his government was considering new laws to make it easier to prosecute individuals who promote hate and violence.

According to Reuters, the proposed measures would also make it simpler to cancel or refuse visas, increase penalties, and maintain a list of organisations whose leaders promote hate speech.