New york: Law enforcement agencies in several major US cities have ramped up security at Hanukkah events following Sunday's mass shooting at a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach, Australia that killed at least 16 people, said media reports.

According to Anadolu Agency, authorities stated that Sunday's attack, carried out by two gunmen, was 'designed to target Sydney's Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,' the Jewish Festival of Lights. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns labeled the shooting a "terrorism event" during a press conference, reported US outlet ABC News.

In response, police departments in New York City and Suffolk County, both in New York state, as well as Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Washington, DC deployed additional officers to synagogues, schools, and Hanukkah-related gatherings, despite confirming there are no credible local threats.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the targeted nature of the violence, stating, 'This was a deliberate act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith. This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a wider assault on Jewish life.' New York City, which has the largest Jewish population of any city in the world outside Israel, is particularly vigilant.

Outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams echoed these concerns, asserting that the attack was antisemitic and specifically targeted Jewish people. The New York Police Department has increased the presence of uniformed personnel, heavy weapons teams, and specialized patrols.

In Suffolk County, officials are closely monitoring developments and maintaining communication with Jewish community leaders to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, in California, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced extra patrols at Jewish facilities, schools, synagogues, and Hanukkah events.

The Beverly Hills Police Department is enhancing its patrols and increasing the use of surveillance drones to safeguard the community. Similarly, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police are deploying additional resources to synagogues as a precautionary measure, even though there is no known connection to DC from the Bondi Beach attack.

Sunday's incident was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years, leaving at least 16 people dead, including one of the assailants, and 42 others hospitalized. Australian police revealed that the two suspected gunmen were a father and son, with the father killed at the scene and the son currently in critical but stable condition in the hospital.