“An absolute tragedy”: Rebel Wilson and more stars react to Bondi beach shooting

The global entertainment industry expressed disbelief and sorrow after a terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney that claimed 16 lives and left many injured during a Hanukkah celebration. Gal Gadot, Rebel Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, Mandy Moore, and Ashton Kutcher were among the stars who took to social media to condemn the violence, voice support for the Jewish community, and grieve those killed during the holiday gathering.

Sydney-born Rebel Wilson reacted early, posting a photograph that showed emergency services flooding the beachfront as night fell over the normally bustling area.

"Just waking up to the news about what's happened on Bondi Beach, an absolute tragedy that is the most un-Australian thing to have happen. We shouldn't have gun violence in Australia, we shouldn't have antisemitism - it's not us! Thinking of everyone affected by this devastating violence," Rebel Wilson wrote.

According to a report published by the BBC, the Bondi Beach attack occurred on Sunday evening near the Bondi Pavilion during Chanuka by the Sea, where two gunmen armed with rifles opened fire on attendees. Police responding to the scene fatally shot one attacker while seriously injuring the other, as authorities confirmed the incident was a targeted act of terrorism.

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Hollywood responds with grief and solidarity after Bondi Beach shooting

Mandy Moore expressed grief, reposting breaking news coverage confirming that authorities had classified the massacre as a terrorist attack. Talking about the timing of the incident, she wrote that the shooting took place “on the first night of Hanukkah and in a country with very strict gun control laws,” adding that her

“heart is with all my Jewish friends around the world.”

As information continued to unfold, Maren Morris reshared a post documenting the increasing death toll from the Bondi Beach event.

“Horrible,” Morris wrote. “My heart goes out to Australia right now,” alongside a broken-heart emoji.

Amelia Gray Hamlin paid tribute by reposting a somber graphic detailing the attack. The image featured a lit candle beneath the words:

“At least 10 people have been murdered and at least 60 injured in a mass shooting attack at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.”

The post concluded with the message,

“May the memories of the victims forever be a blessing. We stand with the people of Australia.”

Kacey Musgraves decided to focus on the courage shown during the attack, sharing video footage that showed a bystander intervening and ripping a gun away from an alleged gunman. She captioned the clip with a single word:

“Hero.”

Gal Gadot shared a message of resolve amid the grief, stating,

“My heart is shattered. Following the antisemitic terror attack on Bondi Beach, Australia, the grief is immense. … The darkness deliberately struck at a sacred moment of community and hope,” the actress wrote.

She continued her message on Instagram by urging unity in the face of despair.

“It is easy to feel defeated. But let us be clear: our strength is not in despair, but in the light we fiercely choose to create in this terrible void. We must honor the victims not with silence, but by demanding a world where every life is safe, and by choosing empathy and unity above all else. Send light into the darkness. Let’s make sure love is the loudest voice.”

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Father and son identified in Bondi Beach terror attack that left dozens injured

As reported by Sky News, a father and son carried out the terror attack at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and leaving several others fighting for their lives in hospital. The father was shot dead during the attack, bringing the total death toll to 16.

Dressed in black and armed with firearms, the two men opened fire on families gathered for the festival. Two explosive devices were later found at the scene. Footage circulating from the area showed the gunmen positioned on a footbridge above the car park linking Campbell Parade to the beach, where more than 50 shots were fired.

Authorities confirmed that 42 people were injured, including two police officers who were shot. The incident was described as the worst mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The father, aged 50, was a licensed gun owner with six registered firearms. His son was identified as Naveed Akram.

It later emerged that the younger gunman had been assessed by ASIO in 2019 following a six-month investigation into possible terror links. Naveed Akram, 24, remained under police guard in hospital and had previously been reviewed due to alleged associations with extremists. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed the information during a press conference, saying ASIO had found

“no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, the assessment was made because of the son’s associations that he had, at that time, and the investigation went for a period of six months,” Mr Albanese said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also confirmed that Naveed Akram was born in Australia in 2001, while his father, Sajid Akram, entered the country on a student visa in 1998 before later transferring to a partner visa in 2001.