Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed tells News themezone what went through his mind while attacking a gunman.

Sydney — When Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed ran straight toward one of the gunmen during the attack on a Jewish community gathering to mark the first day of Hanukkah, he wasn’t thinking about the risk to his own life. The Syrian-born Muslim, who obtained his Australian citizenship just five years ago, told News themezone in an exclusive interview that his only goal was to save innocent lives.

Al Ahmed’s remarkable bravery (attacking one of the two attackers during the December 14 mass shooting and snatching a gun from him) quickly earned him praise as a hero. But it also took him to a Sydney hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Not long after he was finally released from the hospital, he told News themezone why he, like many others who took action that day, some of whom died doing sohe felt as if he simply had no choice.

“I couldn’t stand to hear children, women, old people and men screaming and asking for help,” he said.

He did not see anyone else trying to stop the massacre, which left 15 innocent people dead in what The Prime Minister of Australia called it an act of anti-Semitic terrorism – so he looked for an opportunity, ducking behind the parked cars before attacking the gunman from behind.

“My soul and everything in my organ, in my body, in my brain, asked me to go and defend and save innocent lives,” the store owner told News themezone. “I didn’t think about that.”

As dozens of people gathered for the Hanukkah event, and others on the famous Australian beach, threw themselves on the ground for cover, the gunmen continued to aim at them. Al Ahmed said the shooter, just a few meters from where he was crouched behind a car, continued shooting indiscriminately at anyone he saw.

“I immediately jumped on his back and hit him,” he said.

Al Ahmed said he yelled at the attacker to drop his gun and “stop doing what you’re doing.”

“I don’t want to see people murdered in front of me. I don’t want to see blood. I don’t want to hear their gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s [why] “My soul asks me to do that,” he said.

After a brief struggle, he managed to get the gun out of the other man’s hands.

“Everything in my heart, in my brain, everything, has worked, just to manage and save people’s lives.”

When asked if, after seizing the loaded gun, he considered shooting the now-unarmed attacker, Al Ahmed said it did not occur to him.

“I didn’t think about shooting and I don’t want to get blood on my hand. I don’t think I’m the one who can take people’s lives.”

Nor did he stop to think about the other gunman, who was still attacking from his vantage point on a nearby pedestrian bridge.

“I didn’t worry about anything. My goal was simply to take the gun away from him and prevent him from killing a human being.”

Al Ahmed was shot five times when he intervened.

“What I felt first was my arm. But later, when we went to the hospital, they told me three in the chest, in the shoulder and two here in the arm.”

Doctors have told Al Ahmed that he may never fully recover from his injuries. There are two bullets still lodged in his shoulder and he has suffered nerve damage in his left hand that could be permanent. A GoFundMe page configure for has already raised almost $2 million, funds that will undoubtedly help with his recovery.

Al Ahmed said he was glad his quick thinking saved lives, “but I still feel sorry for those lost” and has no regrets about his quick decision to intervene.

“No, I’m proud that I did it: I saved the lives of innocent people. Because if I don’t run and take the gun from the terrorists, it will be a disaster and there will be more victims.”

Regarding the praise he has received, including from leaders in Australia, the United States and Israel, for risking his own life to save complete strangers, Al Ahmed told him: There are no strangers.

“I risked my life for innocent human beings,” he said. “I can’t call them strangers, because they are human beings, like me, like you.”

It is a simple message that he wants to convey everywhere.

“What I want to say to everyone around the world, not just Australia, is please stop the terrorism and stop the hate,” he said. “Fall in love with all humanity, whatever the religion. We are a human being.”

The full magnitude of their actions and the overwhelming global response they have provoked may not have fully sunk in. Al Ahmed told News themezone that it was still “like I was in a dream.”

He said he is proud not only of himself, but also of his newly adopted homeland.

“I feel warm in my country, here in Australia, with all the nationality, with all the multiculturalism. This is my life here,” he said. “Australia is my country and I am happy to donate my blood for Australia and to defend and save lives anywhere.”

When asked if he would do it again, Al Ahmed did not hesitate:

“Of course, any time,” he said, quickly adding that he hopes it won’t be necessary, in Australia or anywhere else.