Bondi hero Gefen Bitton who tried to stop gunman during terror attack given Australian residency while recovering in hospital

One of the heroes who tried to stop a gunman during a deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach has been given permanent residency in Australia.

Israeli national Gefen Bitton ran towards danger during the terrifying ordeal and stood alongside another hero, Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who bravely disarmed Sajid Akram, 50, during the horror shooting in December.

Mr Bitton was shot face on for his heroic effort to confront one of the attackers and remains in hospital, recovering from gunshot wounds.

Akram and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly began firing bullets at members of the Jewish community celebrating Chanukah by the Sea on December 14.

As hundreds of people tried to flee the gunfire, dozens were injured and 15 people were killed, including 10-year-old Matilda.

Akram was shot dead by police during the attack and his son Naveed was hospitalised.

He is now being held in Goulburn Supermax prison and is charged 50 offences, including with 15 counts of murder.

The Daily Mail reports Mr Bitton has been given permanent residency while recovering in hospital – meaning he will have access to Medicare and can live and work in Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs did not confirm details of the residency grant when contacted by NewsWire, saying they cannot comment on individual cases.

Mr Bitton’s friend Cayli Barr set up a GoFundMe page which has raised more than $724,000 while he recovers in hospital.

Ms Barr said her “beautiful friend” was shot three times and remains in intensive care where he makes small improvements each day and is awake more.

“On behalf of his dad and his family, we are raising money for his medical expenses and rehabilitation – a long road ahead,” she said.

Mr Bitton had been celebrating Chanukah by the Sea at Bondi Beach when the shooting began, he ran with his friend, but when his friend looked back he had lost sight of him.

Another friend received a phone call from Mr Bitton’s sister in Israel saying, “My brother just called. He said he’s been shot twice, and then he hung up”.

Mr Bitton’s friends searched for him and went from hospital to hospital to find him, when they did locate their friend he was in surgery suffering from severe gunshot wounds.

One of his friends recognised him in a video as the guy in the red shirt alongside Ahmad al Ahmad.

“Gefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist he ran into the line of fire to help,” Ms Barr said.

“He made the decision to put himself at risk to save the lives of others.

“As Ahmad Al Ahmad heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran in alongside to confront the terrorist.

“There, he was shot, fell to the ground, and shot again. Now in the ICU, Gefen’s put his own life at risk with his selfless actions.

“Gefen – an unarmed Israeli civilian, living in peace in Australia – made a decision most of us couldn’t even think of. He ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised.”