Holocaust survivor Eva Geller dies in Sydney hospital
Geller succumbed to injuries from the December 2025 Bondi Beach shooting, raising the attack's death toll to 16.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Eva Geller, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, died in a Sydney hospital on Friday, November 6. She had been seriously wounded in the Bondi Beach terror shooting on December 14, 2025. Her death brings the total number of fatalities from the antisemitic attack to 16.
Geller was attending a Hanukkah celebration at the beach when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd. The incident resulted in dozens of injuries and stands as Australia's deadliest shooting in decades. Rabbi Aron Moss, who served at the Nefesh Synagogue where Geller worshipped, noted that her injuries required repeated hospital stays throughout the year following the attack.
Moss stated that Geller lived to celebrate her 90th birthday before passing away overnight. Doctors had previously told her she would not walk again after being shot, but Moss recalled that she regained that ability through determination. She spent much of the time after the attack confined to bed yet continued to smile.
Geller fled Romania as a child during the Holocaust and lost many relatives, Moss said. She also lost her husband early in life. Despite these hardships, she maintained a positive outlook and enthusiasm for life until her death.
New South Wales police confirmed the death in a statement and said they were working with the coroner’s office for further information. Police allege that the gunmen, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, drew inspiration from the Islamic State. Officers killed Sajid at the scene. Naveed survived the shooting and faces charges including 15 counts of murder and a terrorism offense.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Geller should have been able to observe Hanukkah safely. He expressed support for her relatives and the Jewish community as they mourned. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the death as heartbreaking. State Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane noted the continuing need to support the community and emergency responders.
A government-backed inquiry into antisemitism established after the shooting is scheduled to deliver its findings on December 18. Geller’s funeral is expected to be held next week, according to Australia’s ABC public broadcaster.
