He has received hospital visits from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, while his parents and extended family have remained by his side. He has undergone several surgeries to treat gunshot wounds suffered in the terror attack, and he faces a long road to recovery.
Flowers and tributes have been left outside Ahmed al Ahmed’s Sutherland Shire business.
More than a dozen flower bouquets have been left outside Ahmed’s shop, which has been closed throughout the week.
A message addressed on behalf of Sutherland residents and stuck to the roller shutters reads: “Thank you Mr Ahmed. We are so very proud of you.”
Another message scrawled in pink crayon on the nearby footpath read: “Thank you. We all [love] you xxx.”
A collection of colourful drawings include a golden outline of a trophy, labelling Ahmed the “world’s best hero”.
Included on the piece of paper was “no more guns for everyone”, and “thank you for being our hero. We are proud of you”.
Hero who accompanied Ahmed against gunmen identified
The person who ran alongside Ahmed as he confronted Akram has been identified as Gefen Bitton, an Israeli citizen who had run towards the line of fire after initially fleeing to a safe area.
Bitton, 30, spent most of Sunday hiking in the Blue Mountains, but returned to Bondi in the evening to attend the Hanukkah event. He followed Ahmed as he ambushed and wrestled a long-arm rifle off Akram, where he was shot twice.
“Gefen has escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist, he ran into the line of fire to help,” a statement from Bitton’s family and a friend read.
Gefen Bitton accompanied Ahmed al Ahmed as he wrestled a rife off Sajid Akram.
“He ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised. A true hero that deserves recognition.”
Bitton’s father has travelled to Sydney from Israel to support his son. Gefen, who was treated by the intensive care unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, came out of a coma on Thursday and remains in hospital.
More Bondi terror coverage
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