Father-of-two Ahmed, 44, was at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening when he braved the gunfire and confronted one of the shooters, before eventually wrangling the gun from his hands.
He has undergone multiple emergency surgeries after being “riddled with bullets” and was quickly identified as the courageous bystander as footage flooded social media.
Bondi Beach terror attack hero Ahmed el Ahmed in hospital, recovering from surgery. (Supplied)
A GoFundMe was set up shortly after the terrorist attack, asking for donations to thank Ahmed for “[preventing] the loss of countless more lives”.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed el Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation,” the fundraiser reads.
“His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety.”
US billionaire hedge fund owner Bill Ackman was among the early donors, offering $99,999 to the fundraiser in the hours after it appeared online.
Ahmed wrestled with the gunman until he released the weapon. (Nine)Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed in hospital. (Instagram)
It has now garnered $2,515,194 in donations at the time of reporting, after the goal was revised to $3.1 million.
Ahmed was injured in subsequent gunfire after confronting one of the gunmen.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him,” Ahmed’s immigration lawyer Sam Issa told the Sydney Morning Herald after visiting the hero on Monday.
“He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
Tributes have been left at Ahmed’s store in Sutherland. (9News)
Ahmed’s family also spoke to media this week, describing him as a “hero”.
“Maybe he can lose his life to save the other people,” his cousin said of Ahmed’s courageous efforts.
“I hope everyone in Australia wish everything is good for Ahmed to go back to his family.”
His cousin confirmed Ahmed has two daughters, aged five and six.
Ahmed’s actions have been praised in Australia and around the world, including by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns also lauded Ahmed as a hero after visiting him in hospital.
