In the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, the country is grieving. It's a moment that calls for unity and for leadership.

But what we’ve seen is something else. Within days, political lines hardened. A former prime minister stepped in. The opposition shifted its message. And international leaders joined the chorus.

With political venom so close to the surface, the moment has revealed something deeper about how crisis is now handled in Australian politics.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on the gap between who we want to be – and who we are.

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Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno

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Two months ago, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan for Gaza.

But since the truce began on October 10, Gaza authorities say Israel has carried out nearly 800 attacks, killing almost 400 people – including in a recent strike targeting a senior Hamas commander.

Israel, meanwhile, says militants have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, killing at least three Israeli soldiers.

And as Hamas refuses to disarm, Washington seems to have gone silent.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on why plans for peace have stalled – and who may end up running Gaza.

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Guest: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom

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As the country tries to understand how a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi ended with 15 people dead, more details about the alleged shooters have come to light.

Authorities say the attack was inspired by Islamic State. The two gunmen had recently travelled to the Philippines for military-style training. The surviving gunman, now in custody, had been known to ASIO since 2019.

And yet the attack still went ahead, raising fresh questions about the limits of Australia’s counter-terrorism systems – and how hard it is to detect and stop lone-actor violence before it happens.

Today, Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton, on how a mass attack like this can still happen in Australia, even when intelligence agencies are on high alert.

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Guest: Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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