Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n Bitton, an Israeli national who has been working in Australia for about three years as a garage door technician, was attending the Chanukah by the Sea event<\/a>, his friend Tom Cohen told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n He had been looking forward to watching the ceremonial lighting of the menorah when the shooting began.<\/p>\n As gunfire rang out, another friend of Bitton\u2019s stood up and ran, but seconds later realised the 30-year-old was not with him.<\/p>\n Moments later his sister in Israel then received a phone call from Bitton saying he had been shot.<\/p>\n She alerted his friends in Sydney<\/a>, who began desperately searching for him, before eventually finding him at St Vincent\u2019s Hospital, initially listed as an unidentified patient.<\/p>\n He remains in intensive care after undergoing multiple surgeries.<\/p>\n In the days that followed, friends recognised Bitton in footage that showed him attempting to help, but was allegedly shot by Naveed Akram.<\/p>\n Friends believe Bitton\u2019s decision to run back toward the bridge also explains why his phone and keys were later found closer to the gunman than where he had been sitting moments earlier.<\/p>\n Another friend, Cayli Barr, said Bitton\u2019s decision was something \u201cmost of us couldn\u2019t even imagine\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cGefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist, he ran into the line of fire to help,\u201d Barr wrote in a GoFundMe<\/a> page set up to support Bitton.<\/p>\n \u201cHe made the decision to put himself at risk to save the lives of others.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Ahmad Al Ahmad heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran in alongside to confront the terrorist.<\/p>\n \u201cThere, he was shot, fell to the ground, and shot again.<\/p>\n \u201cNow in the ICU, Gefen\u2019s put his own life at risk with his selfless actions.<\/p>\n \u201cHe ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised.\u201d<\/p>\n Bitton\u2019s father has since flown from overseas to Sydney to be by his son\u2019s bedside, as friends and family keep vigil at the hospital.<\/p>\n Five days on, he remains in intensive care, unresponsive, and has undergone five surgeries, Cohen said.<\/p>\n He was shot in the lower abdomen near the hip, shattering his pelvic bone.<\/p>\n Bone fragments caused severe internal injuries, and doctors required three to four operations to stop the internal bleeding.<\/p>\n Cohen said it is unclear whether Bitton will regain full use of his leg, and that the road to recovery will be long.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s like the most spiritual guy ever,\u201d Cohen said, describing Bitton as \u201csuper brave and super unique\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe loves people and always turns words into action.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s such a good soul and he didn\u2019t deserve it. Nobody deserved it, but literally, he was such a good guy to everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n Bitton and Al Ahmed are among several civilians who attempted to intervene as the attack unfolded, with others also stepping toward danger in an effort to protect those around them.<\/p>\n Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed after trying to disarm Sajid Akram before he reached the footbridge, while Reuven Morrison was fatally shot after throwing a brick at the gunman.<\/p>\n Fifteen people were killed in Sunday\u2019s terrorist attack, with dozens more injured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bondi hero presented with $2.5 million cheque<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n![\"Bitton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1dd551a9adfd794a180f25923e0dbec83f9f44d1.gif\")
Bitton rushed to the side of Ahmed Al Ahmed as he tried to disarm the gunman. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n![\"Bitton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a1f0eee9183941bbfd898fc5df60dbaf1dbda88e.gif\")
Bitton was shot three times. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n![\"Bitton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3af9053ca83913de78a21d6a6e6ece72ebcba838.png\")
Bitton is still in ICU fighting for life. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n