Hero – that is what the entire world has called Ahmed al Ahmad since Sunday. The bravery of the 43-year-old Syrian immigrant is being celebrated around the world after videos went viral on social media showing him tackling one of the gunmen, who unleashed carnage on Australia’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, during the Hanukkah By The Sea religious celebrations.
Ahmad managed to wrestle the gun off one of the gunmen, but was injured in subsequent gunfire by the second attacker.
‘No regrets, will do it again’
Ahmed, who is currently undergoing treatment at St. George Hospital, is expected to make a full recovery.
Despite going through immense pain, Ahmed said he does not regret what he did on Sunday, and added he would do it again.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him,” Sam Issa, Ahmed’s migration lawyer, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Issa, however, added that Ahmed was not doing well.
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“He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
“He’s a lot worse than expected. When you think of a bullet in the arm, you don’t think of serious injuries, but he has lost a lot of blood,” he said.
‘Owes it to Australia’
Ahmed, who was born in Syria, came to Australia in 2006, and had a tough road ahead of him before he was eventually granted citizenship in 2022 after a lengthy legal process.
Issa said Ahmed feels indebted to Australia for accepting him.
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“He gets that gratitude from being in Australia. This is his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship.
‘God gave the strength’
Mostafa, Ahmed’s cousin, said the family is thankful for all the love and praise he has been receiving.
Ahmed told Mostafa he did not know what came over him in the moment, but that God had given him “power that he never gave me before”.
The cousin of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the hero who fought back against the Bondi assailants, has given an update on his health. #bondi #northbondi #police #hospital #hero pic.twitter.com/Ab3663fM8J
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 14, 2025
Crowdfunding to support hero
Ahmed’s heroic act has resonated with people from around the world, and there is an ongoing GoFundMe campaign to support him. It has raised more than $744,000 so far.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also met Ahmed, a father of two girls, in the hospital.
Minns called Ahmed a real-life hero.
Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.
It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW. pic.twitter.com/3xNBW8vxvZ
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) December 15, 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ahmed’s bravery saved lives.
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“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger, putting his own life at risk,” Albanese told state broadcaster ABC News.
