A massive fundraising effort has surpassed $2.6 million for Ahmed al‑Ahmed, a Syrian‑born Australian who tackled a gunman during the December 14, 2025 attack on a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach.
After the shooting left at least 15 people dead, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to honor al‑Ahmed, whose bravery was captured on video when he wrestled the weapon from an assailant. As of Sunday morning, the site had received almost 45,000 contributions totalling $2.64 million.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed al‑Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation,” the page reads. “His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others.”
Organizers say the fundraiser was created out of gratitude for al‑Ahmed’s “incredible courage when it mattered most.”
Footage from the scene shows the 58‑year‑old father of two girls—ages five and six—making a daring move behind a gunman as bullets rang out. He was seen tackling the attacker, wresting the rifle away and forcing the shooter to hold the weapon back at the assailant.
Zachery Dereniowski, a social‑media influencer involved in the campaign, visited al‑Ahmed at a hospital in Sydney on Friday. There he presented the man with a $2.5 million check—the amount raised up to that point. In a short clip shared online, al‑Ahmed looked stunned and asked, “I deserve it?”
Dereniowski answered, “Every penny.”
The attack, which the Australian police are treating as a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community, involved a 24‑year‑old suspect and his 50‑year‑old father. The father was shot and died at the scene, and both men have faced murder charges.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised al‑Ahmed on X, calling him an “Australian hero.” “You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist,” he wrote. “In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night. On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you.”
Israeli Premier Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the man’s conduct as “brave,” while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said al‑Ahmed’s “incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives.”
The fundraiser’s meteoric rise underscores the powerful response of both the local community and the world to a sudden act of terror and an individual’s extraordinary courage.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
