Bondi Beach taking pictures LIVE updates: Heartless twist as courageous refugee who ran in the direction of Bondi Beach gunman and kicked away his rifle could possibly be booted from Australia ‘tomorrow’

An innocent bystander who was wrestled to the ground and shot at by police after he was mistaken for a third gunman during the Bondi shooting is now facing imminent deportation.

The refugee only known as AB, wearing a black Givenchy shirt, was filmed kicking away the gunman’s high-powered rifle before raising his hands and shouting ‘Don’t shoot’.

Police quickly swarmed the footbridge where the two gunmen lay immobilised before firing at the man, who was seen ducking for cover.

AB then backed away with his hands still in the air as police approached him before being punched by a member of the public.

He was finally released after police realised he was not a suspect in the horrific shootings.

The father-of-two, originally from the Middle East, could be departed as early as Thursday, according to his lawyer.

He is fighting to stay with his pregnant wife and two children, who are all Australian citizens.

His lawyer Alisson Battison described her client as a family-oriented man.

He had been passing Bondi Beach in a taxi when he spotted the unfolding chaos.

‘I just want to stress this was about assisting other people. And he went about it in a methodical way of working his way towards a shooter,’ Ms Battison told news.com.au.

‘And could have, sensibly and understandably, at any time walked away. But he didn’t.’

Ms Batisson conceded that her client had a minor criminal history dating back several years.

‘This is an example of a person who has done a heroic act, who has both a checkered past and a heroic past as well,’ Ms Battisson said.

‘This is a reflection of modern Australia and modern life that, you know, once you reach a particular age, you’re going to have things you’ve done in the past you may not be proud of.’

Despite AB’s past, there are growing calls from Aussies for the refugee to be made an Australian citizen.

‘AB is a hero. I’d be incredibly proud to call you an Aussie,’ one wrote.

Another added: ‘I hope he sees our appreciation. The choices people make in those times tell who they really are. That man is brave and selfless.’

A third wrote: ‘Thank you AB for daring to do what many could or would not do. In defending everyday Aussies, they have shows they wish to defend the peaceful way of life in Australia.’

Former Better Homes and Gardens star Ed Halmagyi has announced the closure of his Jewish bakery in Sydney following the Bondi terror attack.

The Australian celebrity chef, known as Fast Ed, said his decision to shut the doors of the popular store came after ‘years of antisemitic abuse’.

A heartbreaking note was posted on the Avner’s shopfront on Wednesday confirming the bakery would shut down, less than two years after opening its doors.

A young police officer shot in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack has been left blind in one eye.

NSW Police has provided an update on Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, on behalf of his family.

He had been on-duty patrolling Hanukkah celebrations at the beach when he was shot in the head and shoulder.

Probationary Constable Hibbert has since undergone several surgeries and remains in intensive care.

‘Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required,’ the family statement read.

Probationary Constable Hibbert had been in the job for just four months.

‘Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to,’ his family added.

‘Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.’

The family paid tribute to his colleagues who have visited in hospital.

‘They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured,’ his family said.

‘The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful. We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.’

Probationary Constable Hibbert’s injured colleague Constable Scott Dyson also remains in hospital.

Constable Dyson just found out a few days ago that his partner, who is also a NSW Police officer, is pregnant.

Richard Marles’ morning has gone from bad to worse after he was heckled by a member of the public during a television interview.

The Deputy Prime Minister appeared on various breakfast TV programs to defend the federal government’s response to antisemitism in the wake of Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

The families of the some of the 15 innocent lives killed on Sunday have since lashed out at the government over its attempts to address antisemitism since October 2023.

Marles was speaking to Sky News host Peter Stefanovic from his Geelong-based electorate on Wednesday when he was interrupted by a heckler off-camera.

‘You and your government are an absolute disgrace. You, the Prime Minister, Penny Wong, you should all go,’ the man yelled out.

An unfazed Marles continued to speak over the shouting.

‘Get your hands off me. I’m allowed to stand here. You’re an absolute disgrace,’ the man continued

The heckler was moved on and the interview resumed.

Marles isn’t the first senior politician to be heckled in recent days.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also faced backlash from the public when he attended a vigil in Bondi on Monday night.

Former Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce was also heckled while visiting the Bondi memorial with One National leader Pauline Hanson on Tuesday.

A teenage girl caught up in the Bondi Beach massacre used her body to shield two children whose mothers lay dead nearby.

The 14-year-old was caught up in gunfire while attending ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ at 6.40pm on Sunday when Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, allegedly opened fire.

The girl was shot during the attack, but rather than trying to save herself, she stayed at the scene and shielded the children.

The teen, who remains in hospital, has been hailed a hero in local social media groups.

Naveed Akram is expected to be charged today after waking from a coma.

The alleged Bondi gunman, 24, was critically injured at the scene, while his father Sajid, 50, was shot dead by police.

Fifteen people died while another 40 were hospitalised.

Up to 22 people remain in hospital, including Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed Sajid during the attack and is due to undergo surgery on Wednesday.

It emerged on Tuesday that Naveed and his father had flown to the Philippines just weeks before the Bondi massacre for ‘military-style training with a terrorist group’.

A senior counter-terrorism official told the ABC that investigators are now probing the Akrams’ ties to an international jihadist network after discovering the pair flew from Davao to Manila, before flying back to Sydney on November 28.

“He only woke up from a coma yesterday afternoon … our investigators have had to wait for the effects for medication and for him to obtain a legal advisor, Mal Lanyon said. “I expect that we’ll speak to him today.”

Mal Lanyon is seen with NSW Premier Chris Minns and Anthony Albanese.

Naveed is pictured far right.

Richard Marles has fired back at claims the federal government failed the Jewish community and has ‘blood on its hands’ after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

The Deputy Prime Minister was grilled by Sunrise hosts Matt Shirvington and Nat Barr during a tense interview on Wednesday.

The families of the 15 innocent people killed on Sunday have lashed the Albanese government for its slow response to antisemitism attacks since October 2023.

‘Australians are hurting. Australians are angry, and they’re scared, they’re saying that the government failed them, you have blood on your hands. Do you feel that?,’ Shirvington asked.

Marles replied: ‘All I can say, Matt, is we all want to stamp out antisemitism.To me, it feels fundamentally un-Australian.

‘We live in a wonderful, vibrant and free multicultural society, where the most Australian thing you can do is celebrate your own culture.

‘People should be able to do so with a sense of security and a sense of joy.’

Barr also had tough questions for Marles.

‘There is a disconnect here from the people down on that beach, the Jewish community say you have failed?’ she asked.

Marles replied: ‘I’m not saying that antisemitism doesn’t exist. It clearly does.

‘There’s a lot that is going on, it’s a long-term project.

‘But I would also make the point that Australians need to come together, all of us, to do it. It is something which must be pursued day in, day out. What occurred on Sunday night was a targeted attack on the community in this country.

‘It was also an attack on our way of life, so it’s really important that in this moment, we come together.’

Marles was also asked about Aussies’ fears of more attacks.

‘I can very much understand that the sense of security is shattered by what occurred on Sunday night,’ he said.

‘Clearly, we had a circumstance, though, on Sunday where you had two terrorists on a bridge shooting at a crowd.

‘Every stone – no stone will be left unturned. Not only the investigation of the incident but in all the systems around it, to ensure this never happens again.’

Bondi massacre victim Matilda has been remembered as a ‘ray of sunshine’ with an ‘infectious smile’ in an emotional tribute from her school

The 10-year-old was shot while attending a Hanukkah celebration with her parents and younger sister Summer on Sunday.

She was the youngest victim of the tragedy.

‘Our La Perouse School community is devastated by the loss of Matilda,’ the statement read.

‘Matilda is our ‘wuri-wuri’, our little ray of sunshine. She is genuinely the most kind, caring and compassionate young girl, who brightened everyone’s day with her radiant smile and infectious laugh.’

The school revealed Matilda had won the Soroptimist International Literacy Award just two days before the massacre.

A GoFundMe has raised more than $650,000 for Matilda’s family as of Wednesday morning.

Read the full statement below:

Matilda is pictured with her mum in happier times.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s two-month-old baby remains in hospital after being struck by shrapnel during the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack that claimed 15 innocent lives.

The British-born Rabbi was attending a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday with his wife and five children with hundreds of other Jewish Australians when two gunmen opened fire.

Rabbi Schlanger was among those killed.

Sorella, a close friend of his wife Chaya, said their infant remains in hospital undergoing treatment for injuries caused by flying shrapnel.

She said the baby is ‘not out of the woods’ after being hit by pieces of shrapnel in his calf.

‘The sheer horror and evil for somebody to shoot at babies, at women, at old people, it’s horrific,’ Sorella said.

Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral will be held on Wednesday morning.

Aussies have slammed A Current Affair after cutting off a lifeguard who wanted to name those who had rushed to help victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

Ben Davies, former lifeguard and creator of TV show Bondi Rescue, joined the Channel Nine program on Monday to honour the ‘extraordinary’ efforts of local lifeguards.

As the interview wrapped up, Mr Davies asked to read the names of those who assisted during the terrorist attack.

However, he quickly was cut off by reporter Leila McKinnon.

‘We don’t have time for that. I’m really sorry but no. Thank you so much,’ she told him.

The two Jewish rabbis killed in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack will be farewelled at separate funerals on Wednesday.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s funeral at the Chabad of Bondi will begin at 11am.

‘Due to expected large crowds, Wellington Street will be closed in the area surrounding Chabad of Bondi,’ the centre wrote on Facebook.

‘Please allow extra time to arrive and follow all directions from police, security, and event staff.

‘Following the service, there will be a procession to the cemetery for the burial.’

Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral will also be livestreamed.

Rabbi Schlanger – who helped organise the Hanukkah event targeted by the gunmen – left behind a wife and five young children, including a two-month-old baby.

Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Levitan (pictured below) will be farewelled at Macquarie Park Cemetery from 4.30pm.

He has been remembered as a devoted husband and father.

‘Funeral details regarding other victims will be released as they are confirmed, as well as Shiva and Minyanim details,’ Chabad of Bondi added.

‘Thank you for your care, respect, and support during this time.’