The aftermath of the tragic Bondi Beach terror incident continues to make headlines globally this week, as new victims are being identified in Australia following the antisemitic attack.
Father and son duo, Sajid and Naveed Akram, aged 50 and 24 respectively, have been named as the perpetrators of the heinous assault on the Jewish community during a Hanukah celebration on December 14. The pair, allegedly inspired by ISIS, caused the deaths of 16 individuals and left many others wounded, including four in critical condition, according to Australian authorities.
Authorities in New South Wales are currently probing a recent trip the Akram pair took to the Philippines, as confirmed by Manila officials. Chief Mal Lanyon disclosed that police found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and two homemade IS flags in a car linked to the younger Akram at the scene of the attack.
The 24-year-old suspect, who was critically injured in a confrontation with law enforcement that resulted in his father’s death, has now regained consciousness after being in a coma. Reports suggest that he is cooperating with police and is expected to face serious charges related to the shooting. Police believe no other individuals were involved in the attack.
As investigations continue, families are mourning the loss of victims, some of whom have been publicly identified in recent days. Among the known victims are Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, Matilda Poltavchenko, 10, Reuven Morrison, 61, Tibor Weitzen, 78, Alex Kleytman, 87, Dan Elkayam, 27, Peter Meagher, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitin. Marika Pogany, 82, was also tragically identified as a victim by local authorities and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Each victim’s story reveals the heartbreaking impact of the senseless violence that unfolded at Bondi Beach during the Hanukah event, leaving families and communities devastated by the loss of their loved ones.