In a shocking and brave act of heroism, footage from a harrowing incident during Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia, captures a bystander courageously confronting and disarming a gunman on Sunday. This tense moment was caught on video, revealing the bystander’s quick thinking and bravery amidst chaos.

The dramatic clip shows the bystander stealthily approaching the shooter, who was actively firing at unseen victims. With remarkable courage, the bystander tackled the gunman, successfully wresting the firearm from him. Though he managed to turn the weapon back on the assailant, he chose not to fire.

Identified by Australian media, the hero of the hour is 43-year-old Ahmed al-Ahmad. Tragically, in his act of bravery, Ahmed sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulder, inflicted by a second gunman who opened fire following the initial altercation. His cousin, Mustafa al-Ahmad, shared with Australia’s News 7 that Ahmed’s actions were nothing short of heroic.

“He’s a hero. One hundred percent a hero. Once we saw on social media, he’s one hundred percent a hero,” Mustafa emphasized to the news outlet, highlighting the widespread admiration for Ahmed’s selfless act.

Emergency personnel were quickly on the scene, transporting injured individuals to safety, including at Bondi Beach in Sydney, on what was a distressing Sunday, December 14, 2025. The image of first responders in action underscores the severity and urgency of the situation. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Ahmed is currently in surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Australian media.

Praise and gratitude poured in for Ahmed on social media as the footage of his takedown spread.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the man as “brave” in a statement regarding the shooting. Netanyahu had initially stated that the man who intervened was a Jew, but that was before Ahmed was identified.

“We saw an action of a brave man–turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him–that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Ahmad al-Ahmed for saving lives in Sunday’s shooting. (JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Chris Minns, the premier of Australia’s New South Wales state, also hailed Ahmed as a hero.

“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery,” Minns said in a statement.

Sunday’s shooting killed at least 11 people and hospitalized at least 28. One of the gunmen was killed and the other remains in critical condition.

Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australian authorities have confirmed the attack targeted the Jewish community, which was celebrating the first day of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach.

Neither of the shooters have been identified.