Bondi Beach shooting latest: Australia must strengthen gun laws after terror attack, PM says - as more victims identified

Our correspondent Rob Harris has summarised our insights into how yesterday's attack unfolded on Bondi Beach, one of Sydney's most iconic locations.

Watch his full report in the video. Warning: it includes footage of the attack, which viewers may find disturbing.

Anthony Albanese has released pictures from his cabinet's meeting on social media, which just took place, having been due to start at 4pm local time (5am UK time).

"Australia is stronger than those who try to divide us and we will come through this together," the Australian prime minister wrote in his post.

In a news conference earlier this afternoon, Albanese had announced that the cabinet would consider necessary action after the shooting.

Among the measures discussed, he named tougher gun laws.

If existing laws needed to be tightened, "I'm certainly up for it", he added.

By Cordelia Lynch, Asia correspondent

At Bondi Beach, the site of a celebration is now a memorial to a siege, where Jewish people came under attack.

Muadhi Slaven is clearly still processing what he saw. He speaks softly and thoughtfully as he recalls the harrowing scenes that unfolded in the middle of a Hanukkah celebration he was attending with friends.

"When the shots started, I didn't know what was happening. It was really loud bangs and my friend turned to me and said, 'don't look and after that we just ran for our lives. It was utter panic and chaos. Mums grabbing their kids, dads running. Old people tripping over each other. Just panic."

Among those killed was Mr Slaven's friend, Eli Schlanger, a London-born rabbi and father of five.

"He was a great person, a father, a husband, an introvert, great one-on-one and whenever I saw him he would smile," Mr Slaven told me. He fears other friends were killed too.

On a poster close to where he died, there's an image of Rabbi Schlanger with his own words next to it: "In the fight against antisemitism, the way forward is to be more Jewish, and appear more Jewish."

It's a sentiment shared by his friend, Mr Slaven. 

It's just after 5pm in Sydney.

Over the course of the day, locals have flocked to Bondi Beach, transforming it into a memorial for the victims.

Harrowing pictures from the shooting site also show belongings left behind by people lined up on the beach.

At this point, we know the names of eight victims, who have been identified by the media, friends and relatives since the shooting.

Here's everything we know about them:

Rabbi Eli Schlager

The 41-year-old British-born rabbi, was assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi, which organised the event.

Schlanger had lived in Sydney for the past 18 years. He had recently become a father for the fifth time.

Peter Meagher

Meagher was working as a freelance photographer at the event, his rugby team, Randwick Rugby Club, said. He was a retired policeman.

Dan Elkayam

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Elkayam, a French citizen, was among those killed.

Local media said he was in his late twenties and had gone down to celebrate at the festival. He was reportedly employed at NBC Universal in Sydney.

Matilda
The 10-year-old primary school student was named by her aunt on social media.

She was described as a "bright, joyful, and
spirited child who brought light to those around her", according to local media.

Reuven Morrison

Chabad identified another victim was identified as Reuven Morrison, "a member of the Chabad community who divided his time between Melbourne and Sydney".

Alex Kleytman
The 87-year-old Holocaust survivor had attended the event with his wife Larisa, his children and grandchildren. His wife is also a Holocaust survivor.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan 

Chabad identified him as secretary of the Sydney Jewish religious organisation Beth Din.

Tibor Weitzen

He was identified as one of the victims after he was fatally wounded while shielding his wife from the gunfire, who survived, the Daily Mail reported.

If you're just joining us this morning, here's everything we learned so far about yesterday's shooting.

What happened?

• At about 6.47pm local time on Sunday (7.47am UK time), officers were called to respond to shots being fired at Archer Park, Bondi Beach;
• More than 1,000 people were at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the time of the shooting;
• Two gunmen opened fire from a bridge on crowds at a Jewish event;
• A bystander, 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen in the Bondi Beach shooting is a shop owner;
• Police killed one gunman and another was in a critical condition following the shooting.

What about the victims?

• 15 people have been killed, including a 10-year-old girl. Those killed range in age between 10 and 87;
• 38 people remained in hospital as of midday;
• British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman were named among the victims.

Who are the suspects?

• A 50-year-old father, who was killed, and his son, named as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, were identified as the suspected shooters;
• Police said they were not looking for a third suspect, contrary to earlier investigations;
• The father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son is Australian-born.

Watch: 'Son was Australian citizen, father arrived in 1998'

How has the Australian government reacted?

• Australian PM Anthony Albanese called the attack "an act of evil antisemitism and terrorism that has struck at the heart of our nation";
• The government is looking into tightening gun laws, Albanese said over night.

How have world leaders reacted?

• Donald Trump said the attack was "terrible" and "antisemitic". He praised the "very brave" man who tackled one of the gunmen;
• King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were "appalled and saddened". Sir Keir Starmer described the shooting as "sickening";
• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was "cold-blooded murder", pointing out he previously warned Anthony Albanese about growing antisemitism in Australia.

Here is a quick summary in 10 points:

Overnight, the two former Democratic US presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama have sent their condolences to the victims of the attack.

People must "unite against violence and antisemitism", Biden wrote on social media.

He said he and his wife Jill "stand with the Jewish community in Australia as they face unimaginable loss and suffering following a targeted attack at a Hanukkah celebration".

Barack Obama said that he and his wife Michelle were praying for the families mourning loved ones.

He closed his social media post with the words "Chag Sameach from our family to yours", a common Hebrew greeting on Hanukkah meaning 'Happy Holiday'.

Here's a look at this morning's front pages, which are mostly focusing on the shooting.

The headline of the Sydney Morning Herald, often cited as Australia's most-read outlet across digital and print, simply reads: "Bondi Terror".

Many UK newspapers also focus on the role of Ahmed al Ahmed, the "hero of Bondi Beach", who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen.

Within the last hour or so, we have heard once more from Anthony Albanese during a news conference.

In an earlier post on social media, the Australian prime minister also praised the response of police officers to the emergency.

He said off-duty officers turned up to Bondi Beach to help last night, praising the "dedication and commitment" of the force.

"They are the best of Australia," Albanese wrote. "I received a briefing at Bondi Police Station and was able to thank many Officers personally."

Crowds have gathered at Bondi Pavilion to lay flowers.

The flags of Israel and Australia are draped over the gate.

Songs have broken out - first the Australian national anthem and now songs in Hebrew.

Australian police were also at the scene.