Hero who confronted one of the Bondi Beach gunmen is granted permanent residency in Australia

A heroic bystander who risked his life to confront one of the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen has been granted permanent residence in Australia.

While 30-year-old Israeli national Gefen Bitton was attending Jewish Hanukkah celebrations, 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father Sajid allegedly opened fire on the crowd on December 12, killing 15 people and wounding dozens.

Another hero, Ahmed Al-Ahmed, bravely confronted Sajid and grabbed his gun, while footage showed Mr Bitton dashing out of the car park to help end the attack.

He also confronted Sajid but was allegedly shot three times in the lower abdomen by Naveed moments later, shattering his pelvis and causing serious internal injuries and bleeding.

He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition, where he remained in a coma for more than two weeks.

He has undergone at least eight surgeries and remains in intensive care.

‘We are seeing small improvements every day now that he is more alert. At the fundraiser held on Monday, it was stated that every step is important.

The garage door technician had been living and working in Australia on a temporary visa for three years.

Above, Mr Bitton, wearing red clothing, is seen running to help Ahmed Al-Ahmed bystander after neutralizing gunman Sajid Naveed.

Representatives of Sydney’s Jewish community confirmed to the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Mr Bitton had been granted permanent residence in Australia.

This means he can now access Medicare and NDIS support while he continues his comprehensive, ongoing medical treatment.

The online fundraiser has so far raised more than $721,000 for Mr Bitton’s recovery.

“Gefen, an unarmed Israeli civilian living peacefully in Australia, made a decision that most of us would never even consider,” the page said.

‘Guided by the values ​​in which he was educated and raised, he faced danger as only a hero does.

‘A true hero who deserves to be recognised.’

Mr. Bitton was in Bondi that night to celebrate Hanukkah with friends after spending the day hiking in the Blue Mountains (one of his favorite pastimes).

Despite the gunshot wounds, Mr Bitton managed to call his sister in Israel and tell her he had been shot before hanging up.

Mr Bitton has undergone at least eight surgeries and remains in intensive care

He alerted friends in Sydney, who launched a frantic search to find him.

Mr Bitton was eventually found at St Vincent’s Hospital where he underwent surgery.

His father showed mercy to Australia and later recognized his son in social media footage as the man in the red shirt running from the car park to help Mr Al-Ahmed.

Friends described Mr Bitton as ‘the most spiritual man ever’.

“He knew exactly what he was doing, he was just focused on his mission to help others,” his colleague Matthew Volpatti told Nine News.

‘He has a gentle soul who would do anything for anyone.

‘He’s just a young man coming from abroad to live a better life in Australia and he’s going to need everyone’s support.’