Holocaust survivor, 90, wounded in Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting dies nearly a year later

A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor who was wounded in the December 14, 2025, mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has died nearly a year after the attack, officials said.

Romanian-born Eva Geller died on Thursday night at a hospital in Sydney. She was among around 40 people injured when two gunmen, a father and son allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group, opened fire on a crowd at Bondi Beach. The attack claimed 15 lives, with victims aged between 10 and 87. One of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, the father, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Legal proceedings against surviving gunman

The surviving gunman, 25-year-old Naveed Akram, has been charged with 15 counts of murder, 43 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He has yet to enter a plea. It remains unclear whether Geller’s death will lead to changes in the charges against Akram. Police were awaiting advice from a New South Wales coroner, who will investigate the circumstances surrounding Geller's death. Akram is due to appear in court again on February 24, when prosecutors are expected to finalise the charges to be brought before the New South Wales Supreme Court for trial.

Family remembers Eva Geller

Rabbi Aron Moss, who spoke on behalf of Geller’s family, recalled that she had been “strong and pretty healthy right up until the Bondi attack where she was shot.” Moss added that Geller had been admitted to hospital several times in recent weeks due to complications from surgery. “She’s a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A beautiful, positive person who, even in these difficult months, maintained her positivity. She was told after being shot that she would never walk again by the doctors. But through sheer determination, she got back up and she did walk again with a cane,” he said.

PM Albanese, New South Wales premier pay tribute to Geller

In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote that the devastating impact of the Bondi attack continued to cause pain and suffering for families. “Eva should have been able to celebrate Chanukah (Hanukkah) in peace and safety and instead, her life was changed forever by an act of terror and antisemitism,” Albanese said, using an alternative spelling of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival during which the attack took place. New South Wales premier Chris Minns also extended his condolences to the family. “After everything Geller endured, the news of her death is heartbreaking,” Minns noted. “Almost a year on, we are still living with the pain and aftershock of that evil act. We will never forget Eva or any victim whose life was changed forever,” he added.