A man branded a ‘hero’ has gone viral for his bravery as he disarmed one of the alleged shooters in the Bondi Beach terror attack.

At approximately 18.47pm local time today (Sunday, December 14), New South Wales police responded to reports of gunfire at the popular Australian beach where more than 1,000 people were celebrating the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.

Cops have now confirmed 12 people have died, including one alleged gunman. Another suspect remains in critical condition while dozens more, at least 29 at the time of writing, including a child and two officers, have been taken to hospital for treatment.

The horrific incident in Sydney has since been declared a terrorist attack and now stands as the deadliest shooting in the country since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

Now, social media is flooded with footage of the incident from witnesses and bystanders, including terrifying moments the suspected shooters took cover from a bridge leading to the beach to open fire at civilians.

The mass shooting is said to be the worst on Australian soil in decades (George Chan/Getty Images)

Other footage shows how panic broke out, with hundreds fleeing from the scene and the vicinity.

Meanwhile, another viral clip shows one civilian appearing to take matters into his own hands, who has since been applauded around the world for his courageous quick-thinking act that may have saved countless innocent lives.

The incredible footage shows the man, wearing a light t-shirt and black trousers, crouching behind a parked car while the alleged suspect could be seen shooting his firearm with his back turned.

Seconds later, the brave bystander is seen creeping behind the suspect before jumping up to throw his arms around him, where he grappled him to the floor in the incredibly heroic attempt to disarm him.

It’s a tense struggle to watch (X)

There’s a tense moment as the shooter still appears in possession of the weapon until the civilian manages to wrestle it free.

As the suspect scrambles to his feet, the bystander is seen pointing the weapon at the suspect as he promptly retreats. The hero then gently places the weapon down against a tree where he proceeds to take cover.

While the sound of gunshots could be heard ringing out in the background throughout, the video then pans to the other suspect, apparently still firing at people from the vantage point on the bridge.

The bystander incredibly manages to wrestle the weapon free (X)

As it does, it captures what appears to be another bystander running into frame to throw an object at the now disarmed and retreating shooter.

The second shooter also appears to be returning fire somewhere before a flying bullet hits the side of the bridge near his position.

The footage then pans back to the two civilians, now crouched behind a tree. The man who threw the object could be seen reaching for the weapon before grabbing his wrist, apparently injured.

Cops then can be seen approaching the man on the bridge where they apparently go on to ‘neutralise’ the threat.

He proceeds to continue pointing the weapon at the suspect though apparently doesn’t make any shots at him (X)

The man who disarmed the suspect has since been identified as father-of-two, Ahmed Al Ahmed, who reportedly owns a fruit shop.

His cousin, who spoke to 7News Australia, says the 43-year-old has no experience using a weapon and is in hospital receiving treatment for two gunshot wounds in his arm and shoulder.

Premier Chris Minns is one of many celebrating Ahmed, saying in a statement: “That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”

Another civilian is seen running towards the disarmed shooter to throw an object at him (X)

In an update, cops also confirmed a bomb disposal unit has been deployed after discovering a vehicle which may contain several improvised explosives.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a news briefing: “An act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”

Albanese said the attack on the Jewish community took place on a day that should have been a ‘day of joy,’ adding that there’s no place for this ‘vile act of violence and hate’.

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed a potential motive for the mass shooting of people celebrating Hanukkah in Bondi Beach over the weekend.

At least 15 people were shot and killed during what authorities are calling a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday.

The two alleged gunman are reportedly father and son 50-year-old Sajid and 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who are accused of shooting at crowds of people celebrating the Jewish festival at the beach at around 6:40pm local time.

This has marked the deadliest mass shootings in the country since 1996 Port Arthur.

The youngest victim has been identified as 10-year-old Matilda, while a former police officer and a Holocaust survivor are also among the fatalities.

In an interview following the attack, the Australian Prime Minister has revealed a potential motive that authorities are leaning towards at this time.

Chaos erupted on Sunday after the gunmen started shooting at the crowd(DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)

According to a France 24 report, he stated: “It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology.”

In a separate interview, he added: “With the rise of ISIS more than a decade ago now, the world has been grappling with extremism and this hateful ideology.”

Police also found a car registered to Naveed Akram parked near the beach and found improvised bombs and ‘two homemade ISIS flags’, according to the South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

Albanese has also revealed that Naveed Akram had come to the attention of Australia’s intelligence agency prior to the attack in 2019. However, at the time he was not considered an imminent threat.

Albanese said: “He was drawn to their attention because of his association with others … They interviewed him, they interviewed his family members, they interviewed people around him.

“Two of the people he was associated with were charged and went to jail, but he was not seen at that time to be a person of interest.”

A vehicle believed to belong to one of the alleged gunman also contained explosives (Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

According to a CNN report, the father and son had also recently traveled to the Philippines, specifically to an island known for Islamist insurgency. However it is not clear what the pair did while in the country.

While the incident has been dubbed a terrorist attack, it has also sparked a debate on whether tighter gun laws are necessary in the nation.

Sajid died following the attack while Naveed is said to be in a critical condition.

Sajid was granted a firearms license for recreational hunting and was believed to have been a member of a gun club.

Albanese has since suggested the Australian government will be looking at tougher gun laws, including a limit on the number of guns a licensed owner can have.

A bystander risked his own life in the middle of a mass shooting to attack one of the gunmen and the hero’s parents have now spoken out for the first time.

Australia is currently mourning following one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country since 1996 in Port Arthur.

So far, at least 15 people have been confirmed to have died after two gunmen shot at crowds at Bondi Beach, Sydney, as they celebrated the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Following the shooting, it was revealed that the alleged gunmen were father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

One moment during the chaos was captured on film and showed a civilian attempting to disarm one of the gunmen as they continued to shoot at people.

This person has been identified as 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed and has been praised globally for most certainly saving lives.

Ahmed al Ahmed’s father praised his son’s herorism during the attack (ABC News)

The video shows Ahmed sneak up on one of the gunmen and wrestle the gun away from him successfully, albeit while suffering shots himself.

After getting ahold of the gun, he then points it at one of the shooters, who proceeds to flee.

Ahmed’s parents have spoken to local media and praised their son for his heroism, confirming that he had previously served with Syrian law enforcement before moving to Australia. His parents have only recently moved to the country.

The father, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed, speaking to ABC news, said: “My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces.

“He has the impulse to protect people.

“When he did what he did, he wasn’t thinking about the background of the people he was saving.

“My son is an Australian citizen, he defended the innocent people.”

Ahmed’s mother echoed these sentiments as she also spoke to reporters.

His mother, Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, added: “My son has always been brave, he helps people, he is like that.”

Ahmed’s parents say he has already undergone his first surgery to remove several bullets from his shoulder and hand.

A fundraiser has already been set up for Ahmed, and so far over $1 million has been raised.

The emergency workers have also been praised by the wider public as well as Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, for their bravery helping people immediately after and during the attack.

During a speech, Albanese said: “I think we need to recognize their incredible work at a time as well when two police officers have been seriously injured as a result of the efforts and bravery they have shown.”