SYDNEY (FN) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Thursday at a Jewish memorial center in Sydney to farewell 10‑year‑old Matilda, the youngest of 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack, her small white coffin carried gently through a crowd united in grief.
Bright bouquets and bumblebee‑shaped balloons — symbols of the joy she brought to those around her — lined the entrance as family members clung to one another for support. Her surname was withheld at the family’s request, but her presence was unmistakably felt in the tears and whispered prayers that followed her inside.
Matilda was killed Sunday when two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge overlooking Bondi Beach, targeting families gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities say the attackers, a father and son, were driven by extremist ideology in what officials have described as an antisemitic act of terrorism.
Police said the 50‑year‑old father was shot dead by officers at the scene, while his 24‑year‑old son survived and now faces dozens of charges, including murder and attempted murder. Investigators say the pair fired into the crowd without warning, sending parents scrambling to shield their children.
Matilda had been enjoying a petting zoo with her family moments before the shooting began. Relatives described her as “full of life and happy,” a child who made friends easily and adored animals. Her aunt, speaking through tears, told mourners, “Maybe she’ll be an angel now. That’s how we want to think of her — our little angel.”
The funeral drew senior political leaders, including the New South Wales premier and the governor‑general, who stood quietly among the mourners. Many wiped away tears as they approached the grieving family, offering brief embraces and soft words that were quickly swallowed by the emotion of the room.
Earlier in the day, mourners also gathered to bury Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman, who died shielding his wife from gunfire. His funeral underscored the devastating reach of the attack claiming both the youngest and one of the oldest members of the community.
Authorities say the investigation remains active as detectives examine the attackers’ recent travel, including a month‑long stay in the Philippines. Police are reviewing possible extremist links and analyzing digital evidence to determine whether anyone influenced or supported the pair.
Investigators continue to examine the attackers’ online activity, movements, and access to firearms. Police say they are not searching for additional suspects but caution that the broader counterterrorism probe is ongoing.
More funerals are expected in the coming days as the community mourns the victims of one of Australia’s deadliest terror attacks in recent memory. Support services have been deployed to help families, witnesses, and first responders still grappling with the trauma.
