JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel issued a security warning on Sunday for its citizens abroad following a deadly shooting attack in Australia, urging them to avoid large gatherings.

In a statement, Israel's National Security Council urged Israelis overseas to "strictly adhere" to precautionary measures, including avoiding large gatherings that are not protected by security forces, such as events at synagogues.

The council also called on Israelis to "remain vigilant around Jewish and Israeli sites and report to security authorities if anything unusual is identified, such as a suspicious person or object."

It said that past experience showed there was a risk of copycat attacks inspired by such incidents, prompting heightened concern for Jewish and Israeli communities overseas.

The warning followed an attack in which two assailants opened fire on crowds attending a Hanukkah celebration organized by the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more, the statement said. ■