Holocaust survivor shot in Bondi terror attack dies in hospital

A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor who was shot during the Bondi terror attack has died in hospital, less than a year after the tragedy.

Eva Geller died overnight after complications while receiving treatment for an injury linked to the gunshot wounds she sustained in the December 14 shooting.

Rabbi Aron Moss of Bondi’s Nefesh Synagogue said the eastern suburbs community was “devastated” by the loss of the beloved great-grandmother.

He said Geller was born in Hungary, before escaping the Holocaust as a child and migrating to Australia to rebuild her life.

Her late husband was also a survivor of the Mauthausen and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps.

“Everyone in the community really loved her and loved being in her presence,” Rabbi Moss said, noting she had been “strong and pretty healthy” until the shooting.

Read more

Three people stabbed, plunging nearby primary school into lockdown in Melbourne’s south-east

Although doctors warned she might never walk again due to her leg injuries, Rabbi Moss said Geller defied the odds “through sheer determination” during rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was saddened by Geller’s death.

“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,” he said in a statement.

“We are wrapping our arms around Eva’s family, friends and the Jewish community at this very sad time.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns described Geller’s death as “heartbreaking”, extending his condolences to her family and the broader Jewish community.

“Almost a year on, we are still living with the pain and aftershock of that evil act,” Minns said in a statement.

“We will never forget Eva or any victim whose life was changed forever.”