Eva Geller, 90, Holocaust survivor shot at Bondi Beach, dies in Sydney hospital

A death almost a year after the attack

Eva Geller, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, died on the night of Thursday, 5 November, in a Sydney hospital, officials said on Friday, 6 November. Executive Council of Australian Jewry director Evan Zlatkis announced the death, which followed injuries she suffered when she was shot at Bondi Beach. She was one of around 40 people wounded when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December 2025, killing 15 people aged between 10 and 87. New South Wales police said they were aware of the death and were awaiting advice from the state coroner, who will examine the circumstances. According to The Guardian, her funeral was scheduled for Monday, 9 November, and her family asked for privacy.

Her final months in hospital

Geller had been admitted to hospital several times in the weeks before her death because of complications from surgery, rabbi Aron Moss said. Moss described her as strong and pretty healthy until the day she was shot, and he spoke on behalf of the family.

“She's a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. A beautiful, positive person who even in these difficult months maintained her positivity.”

Moss added that doctors had told her after the shooting that she would never walk again, yet she got back on her feet and walked with a cane after her leg wound. A senior Jewish community source told The Guardian that she had returned to hospital with an infection and died after suffering a stroke.

Reaction from state and federal leaders

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns offered his condolences to the family and called the news of her death heartbreaking. He said the community was still living with the pain and aftershock of the attack.

“After everything Geller endured, the news of her death is heartbreaking.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Geller should have been able to celebrate Hanukkah in peace and safety, and that the attack continued to cause pain for families. According to the BBC, the Bondi attack was Australia's worst mass shooting in almost three decades and led to sweeping gun law reforms and a crackdown on hate speech.

The attack and the charges

The gunmen were Sajid Akram, 50 according to the BBC, and his son Naveed Akram. Police shot Sajid dead at the scene. According to NOS, four homemade explosives thrown into the crowd failed to detonate before the gunmen opened fire, and the dead included a 10-year-old girl. Naveed Akram has been charged with 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, and he has not yet entered a plea. AP reports 43 counts of attempted murder, while the BBC reports 40, and The Guardian gives a total of 78 offences. Investigators have alleged the attackers may have been inspired by the Islamic State group.

What comes next

Naveed Akram is next due in court on 24 February, when prosecutors are expected to settle which charges will go to the New South Wales Supreme Court for trial. Police have not provided details of any further charges linked to Geller's death. The timeline below sets out the key dates.