Repatriation flights for Australians in Israel are scheduled to leave from Tel Aviv today, the Foreign Minister has announced, after the flights were cancelled yesterday.
“Subject to factors including the security environment, the Australian Government is planning multiple flights to depart from Tel Aviv today,” Penny Wong shared on social media just after 1pm AEST.
“We are also arranging flights to assist travellers with their onward journey from Dubai to Australia. A further update will be provided directly to registered Australians in coming hours.”
The foreign minister also said that Australia was coordinating options with partner nations who are helping their own citizens with departures from the war-stricken area.
She said that further updates would be provided directly to registered Australians in coming hours.
“We continue working on options for Australians wanting to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
Read Related Also: Sonia Kruger, 58, slips into a white pencil dress as she leaves MediaWeek 100 Power Lunch with fellow Seven star Natalie Barr
The announcement comes after repatriation flights set to take Australians out of Israel yesterday were cancelled due to “rapidly changing” conditions in the region.
Airstrikes devastate Gaza ahead of full-scale ground invasion
The first of the flights landed in London yesterday, but the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Smart Traveller account posted an update on social media hours afterwards, announcing that two subsequent flights had been postponed.
Senator Penny Wong further explained the situation, saying: “Departures from Gaza are extremely challenging due to the dangerous security situation.”
“850 previously registered Australians and their families have now left Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. DFAT is assisting more than 1500 registered Australians in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Not all of those are looking to leave.”
Australians in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories should register via or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from Australia).
