Funerals begin for Bondi shooting victims - with alleged gunman set to be charged

The first funerals are being held for the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, including British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Mourners are gathering for memorial services three days after the terror attack which shocked Australia, and intensified concerns about rising antisemitism at home and abroad. Some 22 people remain in hospital following the shooting, carried out at an event marking the start of Hanukkah.

Mr Schlanger was an assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi Synagogue and a father of five. Often speaking through tears, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, expressed his "biggest regret" was he "could have done more" to tell him "how much we love him".

"I hope he knew that. I'm sure he knew it," he added.

"But I think it should've been said more often." The father of 10-year-old victim Matilda spoke at a vigil on Tuesday night. Local media reported him as saying: "We came here from Ukraine … and I thought that Matilda is the most Australian name that can ever exist.

"So just remember the name, remember her." Alleged gunman set to be charged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he expects the injured alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, 24, to be charged later today after waking up from a coma. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said investigators will question Akram - who is under heavy police guard in hospital - once medication wears off and legal representatives are present.

Read more: Who were the suspected gunmen? The other alleged attacker, his 50-year-old father Sajid, died at the scene on Sunday. Police have said the two men - who were shot by officers - were motivated by Islamic State ideology.

A recent trip to the southern Philippines is under investigation. The older Akram used an Indian passport to travel, while his son used an Australian one.

Their declared destination was Davao City - an area associated with Islamic extremism. New South Wales to debate gun reforms The Australian government and intelligence services have come under pressure over why the alleged attackers were legally able to acquire the high-powered rifles and shotguns used in the attack.

Mr Albanese has vowed to toughen the country's gun laws after its deadliest mass shooting in three decades, and the state parliament in New South Wales will reconvene next week to discuss reforms. They include capping the number of guns allowed by a single person and making some shotguns harder to access.

State premier Chris Minns told a news conference: "We've got a monumental task in front of us. It's huge.

"It's a huge responsibility to pull the community together. "We need a summer of calm and togetherness, not division." Mr Albanese has vowed to work with the Jewish community to "stamp out and eradicate antisemitism".

The prime minister has been accused of not doing enough to prevent its spread since the war in Gaza began two years ago. Fellow leaders have expressed their shock and anguish since the attack, including Sir Keir Starmer, who hosted a Hanukkah event at Downing Street on Tuesday.

And speaking at the White House last night, Donald Trump said: "We join in mourning all of those who were killed, and we're praying for the swift recovery of the wounded." Follow the latest on this story in our dedicated blog..