Father and son behind Sydney attack, Australian police say

Two men who attacked a Jewish party on Sydney's Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, have been identified as father and son, police said on Monday.

This is the worst episode of gun violence in Australia in the last 30 years.

Police said the father, 50, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son is in critical condition in hospital. Officials have described Sunday's attack as a deliberate anti-Semitic act.

Witnesses said the attack, which took place on a warm evening, lasted about 10 minutes, causing panic among hundreds of people who spread out onto the sand and surrounding streets. About 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event, according to police.

Following the attack, 40 people remain hospitalized, including two police officers who are in serious but stable condition. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

Authorities say they are confident that only two attackers were involved, while investigations continue and police presence in Jewish communities has been significantly increased.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited the scene on Monday, described the attack as “a dark moment for our nation.” He said police and security agencies were carefully verifying the motive for the attack.

"What we saw yesterday was a pure act of evil, an act of anti-Semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores, in an iconic Australian location," Albanese said.

"The Jewish community is suffering today. Today, all Australians stand with them. We will do everything to eradicate anti-Semitism. It is a scourge and together we will eliminate it."

Albanese also thanked world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, for their solidarity.