Holocaust Survivor Dies Nearly 11 Months After Bondi Beach Terror Attack

Having fled Romania during the Holocaust, Geller survived the Nazi persecution of European Jews, only to be gravely wounded decades later while celebrating a Jewish holiday in Australia.

By United with Israel Staff

A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor who was seriously wounded in the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach last December has died, becoming the 16th victim of the massacre.

Eva Geller, a Romanian-born Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust as a child, died Thursday night at a Sydney hospital after nearly 11 months of complications stemming from her injuries.

Her death was confirmed by Evan Zlatkis, director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Geller was among approximately 40 people wounded on December 14, 2025, when two gunmen inspired by the Islamic State terrorist organization opened fire on a crowd gathered for a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.

The terrorists targeted families and members of Sydney’s Jewish community who had assembled for the holiday festivities, turning what was supposed to be a joyous celebration into one of Australia’s deadliest antisemitic attacks.

Fifteen people, ranging in age from 10 to 87, were killed in the shooting, which Australian authorities classified as an antisemitic terrorist attack.

Geller suffered severe injuries to her legs and spent much of the following year battling complications.

Rabbi Aron Moss said Friday that she had been in and out of the hospital since the attack as a result of her extensive injuries.

Having fled Romania during the Holocaust, Geller survived the Nazi persecution of European Jews, only to be gravely wounded decades later while celebrating a Jewish holiday in Australia.

Australian-Israeli human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, who survived the Bondi Beach shooting, expressed his grief following news of her death.

“Absolutely devastating,” Ostrovsky wrote on X.

“Eva Geller, 90, shot during the Bondi terror attack, has just died, following complications from her injuries, becoming the 16th victim of the massacre. Eva was a HOLOCAUST survivor!”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed condolences to Geller’s family and the Jewish community.

“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,” Albanese said.

Geller’s death brings the reported toll of the Bondi Beach massacre to 16, nearly 11 months after the attack that devastated Australia’s Jewish community.