Senior Israeli intelligence officials state that Australia received advance warnings months prior about the creation of foreign-connected terrorist infrastructure within its borders—including actions targeting Jewish communities—at a time when worries were mounting over both Iranian-led operations and the possible reemergence of ISIS in Syria.
A senior Israeli intelligence official, speaking anonymously to Digital, shared that Israel’s foreign intelligence agency gave Australian authorities specific alerts regarding what the official termed operating in Australia. The official clarified that the warning wasn’t about the Bondi Beach attack itself, but about wider attempts to establish terrorist networks designed to target Jewish people.
“We stopped a few ticking bombs,” the official said. “The target was on people’s heads.”
The official noted that Israeli intelligence uncovered Iranian direction and coordination, with operatives purportedly holding weapons and working “in the heart of Jewish communities” without being noticed by local law enforcement.
In the months before the Bondi Beach attack, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador following public accusations from its domestic security agencies that Iran was directing or supporting attacks on Jewish targets in the country. Tehran pushed back against the claims and disavowed any role.
Following the shooting, Iranian state media released an official statement condemning the attack, criticizing the killing of civilians and dismissing any link between Iran and the violence. Australian officials indicated the attack investigation is still in progress and have not linked it to a foreign government. An intelligence source stated that clarity on whether such direction existed would come in the next few days.
Israeli intelligence’s evaluations match warnings from a senior foreign diplomatic source, who characterized the current threat landscape as fueled by a global contagious effect where around the world amplify and praise attacks, prompting others to imitate them.
The diplomatic source explained that online jihadist networks are key to speeding up this trend, quickly transforming incitement into action. Operationally, the source added, such attacks are becoming more appealing to extremists because they’re relatively easy to execute yet yield outsized results.
Two sources warned that the danger goes beyond Jewish targets, noting that are also possible—especially during times when Jewish and Christian holidays overlap, which often boosts extremist drive.
The senior Israeli intelligence official emphasized that Australia isn’t alone, pointing to a significant global increase in Iranian-associated terrorist acts targeting Jews.
“Since the war, there is a huge rise in attempts by Iran to execute terror all over the world against Jews,” the official said. “Not only Australia.”
The official stated that Israeli intelligence has found or foiled similar activity in Europe, Africa, and Asia—including Germany, Austria, and other places outside the Middle East—as well as suspected plots in South America, India, and Thailand.
“If you knew how many terror attacks the , you would drop your jaw,” the official told Digital.
A second senior Israeli intelligence source noted that the threat environment has deteriorated following two years of war in the Middle East, which the source said has invigorated radical Islamist groups worldwide.
The source explained that the threat is more and more coming from lone individuals or sleeper cells—groups that need few resources, are harder to spot, but can still inflict mass harm and inspire copycat acts.
The source specifically cautioned about , stating that the instability there could let ISIS reorganize and resurface, leading to new cycles of violence outside the region. “I’m worried about Syria and that ISIS will return,” the source said, also noting that the recent Australian attack might encourage more violence in other places.
The intelligence warnings gained renewed attention after a at a public Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach—one of Australia’s most famous and crowded spots.
Australian officials reported that two gunmen—a father and his adult son— , killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. Police stated the father died at the scene, while the son was shot by officers and taken to a hospital in life-threatening condition. Authorities labeled the shooting a terrorist attack aimed at the Jewish community.
Although Australian officials haven’t connected the Bondi Beach attack to foreign intelligence guidance, the event has increased scrutiny of prior warnings, the across the country, and whether enough was done to stop emerging dangers.
Australian leaders have denounced the attack, boosted security at Jewish institutions, and promised to reassess counterterrorism strategies.