A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, who sustained injuries during the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December 2025, has passed away nearly a year after the tragedy. Officials confirmed that Eva Geller, who was born in Romania, died at a Sydney hospital on Thursday night.
Geller was among the approximately 40 individuals wounded when two gunmen, reportedly inspired by the Islamic State group, launched an attack on a crowd at the beach on December 14, 2025. The violent incident resulted in 15 fatalities, with the victims ranging in age from 10 to 87. One of the assailants, identified as the father, Sajid Akram, was killed by police officers at the scene of the attack.
The surviving gunman, 25-year-old Naveed Akram, is currently facing serious legal consequences. He has been charged with 15 counts of murder, 43 counts of attempted murder, and one count of committing a terrorist act. As of now, the suspect has not entered a plea. Prosecutors are expected to finalize the charges ahead of an upcoming court appearance scheduled for February 24, at which point the case will proceed to the New South Wales Supreme Court for trial.
Following Geller’s death, questions have emerged regarding whether the charges against the surviving gunman will be amended. Authorities have stated that they are currently awaiting guidance from the New South Wales coroner, who is tasked with investigating the specific circumstances surrounding Geller's death in the hospital.
Rabbi Aron Moss, acting as a spokesperson for the Geller family, described Eva as a resilient individual who remained in relatively good health until she was targeted in the Bondi shooting. He noted that in recent weeks, she had been hospitalized multiple times due to complications following surgery. Despite medical experts initially informing her after the shooting that she would never walk again, Geller displayed significant determination and successfully regained the ability to walk using a cane.
"She’s a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A beautiful, positive person who, even in these difficult months, maintained her positivity," Rabbi Moss stated. Her family remembers her as a source of strength, underscoring the personal toll of the attack, which occurred during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
The Australian government has expressed deep sorrow over the news. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement reflecting on the ongoing suffering caused by the incident. "Eva should have been able to celebrate Chanukah in peace and safety and instead, her life was changed forever by an act of terror and antisemitism," the Prime Minister remarked.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also offered his condolences, acknowledging the profound impact that the event continues to have on the community. "After everything Geller endured, the news of her death is heartbreaking," Minns said, adding that the state continues to grapple with the pain and aftershock of the attack. "We will never forget Eva or any victim whose life was changed forever," he noted.
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