Bondi Beach shooting LIVE updates: Islamic state praises Bondi Beach gunmen as source of pride after 15 were killed in massacre - as Bondi hero is handed a $2.5million cheque

The Islamic state has praised alleged Bondi terrorists Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, as lions and a source of pride in a statement.

  • 18 декабря 2025, 23:01

The Islamic state has praised alleged Bondi terrorists Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, as lions and a source of pride in a statement. 

The pair are accused of opening fire into a crowd of Jewish people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday. 

Naveed remains in hospital under police guard after being shot by officers and woke from a coma on Tuesday. He has been charged with 59 offences. 

His father Sajid, a licensed firearms holder, was shot dead by police. 

Fourteen of the 15 innocent people who lost their lives have been identified.

A group of over 700 surfers have paddled out at Bondi Beach in memory of the 15 people who lost their lives in Australias worst massacre since 1996. 

Heroes Boris and Sofia Gurman, who confronted one of the alleged gunmen before their deaths, are expected to be laid to rest today.  

19:59

Hero couple Sofia and Boris Gurman who confronted one of the alleged gunmen to be laid to rest

A married couple who died side-by-side while trying to stop one of the Bondi Beach terrorists, days before one of their birthday, will be laid to rest on Friday.

Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, were tragically gunned down when they bravely confronted Sajid Akram, 50, and prevented him from opening fire at a Jewish event on Sunday.

Ms Gurman was due to celebrate her 62nd birthday on Wednesday.

The couple were set to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January.

It is understood that the Gurmans are Russian Jews from the Soviet Union, who have lived in Australia for decades.

A screenshot captured from a Nine News Sydney broadcast shows Russian-Jewish couple Boris and Sofia Gurman pair shot dead attempting to disarm one of the alleged Bondi shooters, believed to be 50-year-old Sajid Akram, shortly before an attack was launched on the Hanukkah by the Sea event in Sydney, New South Wales, Wednesday, December 17, 2025. (PR Image/Supplied by Nine News Sydney) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, AAP PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS HANDOUT IMAGE TO BE USED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE IMAGE WAS PROVIDED - FOR REPORTING ON THE EVENTS OR FACTS DEPICTED IN THE IMAGE

The couple are seen confronting one of the alleged shooters

Boris and Sofia Gurman

Boris and Sofia Gurman

19:48

Bondi hero handed massive $2.5million cheque in his hospital bed

The hero grocer who disarmed one of the alleged gunmen during the Bondi shooting has been handed a cheque for $2.5million.

During the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14, where two gunmen allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration killing at least 15 people, Ahmed Al Ahmed, 43, tackled one of the attackers and wrestled away his weapon.

A Syrian-born tobacconist owner, Mr Al Ahmed has been widely praised for his heroism, with Australians raising $2.5million in donations, including $100,000 from US billionaire Bill Ackman.

In a heartwarming video, the hero was presented with the huge cheque in his hospital bed by Canadian content creator Isaac.

'And I deserve it?' Mr Al Ahmed asked, to which Isaac responded 'every penny'.

Mr Al Ahmed said his actions came 'from the heart' and were 'to save lives', before describing how wonderful the day had been before the nightmare began.

'It was a nice day, everyone enjoying, celebrating with the kids... We’re not going to stand and keep watching. Enough is enough. God protect Australia,' he said.

19:34

Islamic State group heralds Bondi shooters as 'lions' and a 'source of pride'

The Islamic state group has praised the alleged actions of the Bondi Beach shooters.

The terrorist group applauded the father-and-son as 'lions' and a 'source of pride' in its weekly bulletin Al-Naba on Friday morning, The Herald reported.

However, it stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack that left 15 dead - including a 10-year-old girl - and over 40 hospitalised.

It also claimed the pair may have been 'inspired' by its teachings.