Sydney will pause in grief on Wednesday as funerals begin for some of the 15 people killed in Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades — a Jewish Hanukkah celebration-turned-tragedy that shook the nation and intensified fears of rising antisemitism and violent extremism.

Police and local media reports said the shooting began while some people were attending a Hanukkah party on the beach. At least 40 people were hospitalized.

People of all ages had been looking forward to celebrating — especially this year, as a ceasefire in Gaza has held since October and all but one of the hostages taken by Hamas-led militants have been returned.

A shooting at a Chabad Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney left at least 10 dead and targeted Jews amid rising antisemitism in Australia.

As the eight-day Hanukkah holiday continues, security has been reexamined and even strengthened at some local synagogues and public events.