Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed tells CBS News what went through his mind when he confronted the gunman

in Sydney – When Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed ran towards one of the gunmen during the attack on the Jewish community celebrating the first day of Hanukkah, he was not thinking about the danger to his life. The Syrian-born Muslim, who received his Australian citizenship five years ago, told CBS News in an exclusive interview that his only goal was to save the lives of innocent people.

The incredible bravery of Al Ahmed – who charged one of the two attackers during the December 14 mass shooting and held the gun against him – immediately. earned him fame as a warrior. But it also landed him in a Sydney hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Not long after he was released from the hospital, he told CBS News why he, like others who took action on this day, some of them were killed doing sohe felt that he had no other choice.

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

He saw no one else trying to stop the massacre – which left 15 innocent people dead Australia’s prime minister called the act an act of antisemitic terrorism – so he looked for an opportunity, crouching behind parked cars before confronting the gunman from behind.

“My soul and everything in my body, in my body, in my brain, asked me to go, protect and save an innocent life,” the store owner told CBS News. “I didn’t think about it.”

As scores of people gathered for a Hanukkah celebration, and others on a popular Australian beach, ducked for cover, the gunmen continued to target them. Al Ahmed said the gunman, just a few meters away from where he was hiding behind a car, had been shooting nonchalantly at anyone he saw.

“That’s when I jumped on his back, I hit him,” he said.

Al Ahmed said he shouted at the attacker to drop his weapon, to “stop doing what you’re doing.”

“I don’t want to see people killed in front of me. I don’t want to see blood. I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people crying for help, and that’s it. [why] My spirit is asking me to do that,” he said.

After a brief struggle, he was able to pull the gun from the man’s hand.

“Everything in my heart, in my mind, everything – is working, managing and saving people’s lives.”

When asked if he thought of shooting the disarmed assailant after taking the loaded weapon, al Ahmed said it did not occur to him.

“I didn’t think of shooting, and I don’t want to put my hand in blood. I don’t think I can kill people.”

He didn’t stop and think about the other gunman, who was still attacking from his vantage point on the nearby footbridge.

“I didn’t worry about anything. I was just there, my goal was to take the gun from him so he wouldn’t kill someone.”

Al Ahmed was shot five times while mediating.

“The first thing I felt was the arm. But after we went to the hospital, they told me three in the chest, one in the shoulder and two here in the arm.”

Doctors told al Ahmed that he may never fully recover from his injuries. There are still two bullets in his shoulder, and he has a permanent wound to his left hand. GoFundMe page prepared for him he has raised almost two million dollars – funds that will no doubt help in his recovery.

Al Ahmed said he was happy that his quick thinking saved lives, “but I still feel sorry for those who were lost,” and he does not regret his decision to intervene.

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

Regarding the praise he received, including from the leaders of Australia, the United States and Israel, for risking his life to save complete strangers, al Ahmed said to him, there are no strangers.

“I risked my life for innocent people,” he said. “I will not call strangers because they are people like me and you.”

A simple message that he wants to convey far and wide.

“What I want to say, to everyone in the whole world, not just in Australia, I want to say please stop terrorism and stop hate,” he said. “Feel in love with all mankind, regardless of religion. We are human beings.”

The full magnitude of his actions, and the incredible international response they received, may not have fully sunk in. Al Ahmed told CBS News that “it’s still like I’m in a dream.”

He said he feels proud not only of himself, but of his newly found country.

“I feel warm in my country, here in Australia, with all nationalities, with all kinds of cultures. This is my life here,” he said. “Australia is my country, and I am happy to give my blood for Australia, and to protect and save lives anywhere.”

Asked if he would do it again, al Ahmed didn’t hesitate:

“Yeah, whenever,” he said, quickly adding that he hoped he wouldn’t have to, in Australia, or anywhere else.