More than 100 Australians and their family members have been whisked out of Tel Aviv on a mercy flight fleeing the tensions in the Middle East.
It’s understood the Australian Defence Force assisted a departure flight from Israel with 119 Australians and their family members on board as part of ongoing efforts by the government to help Australians seeking to leave the region.
Australians in both Iran and Israel have been registering with the government for help amid the 12-day war between the two nations.
Photos of Australians leaving on the Tel Aviv flight were released overnight as details emerged of the latest in the government’s measures to help citizens and their families.
It’s understood the Australian government is continuing to work to help others leave, looking for opportunities to do so amid the unrest.
Overnight the airspace in Israel was open, allowing commercial airlines to resume flights out of the country, although limits and restrictions still applied.
The Australian government encourages anyone with existing tickets for cancelled flights to keep speaking with airlines, as it may be the fastest way to reach their final destinations.
Wong acknowledged thousands of Australians were in a difficult situation.
“Obviously, this is a highly risky and precarious situation, and my heart goes out to Australians in Iran and in Israel, and to their friends and families in Australia who are so deeply worried about them,” Wong said.
Consular officers remain positioned at the Iran-Azerbaijan border to assist departing Australians.
Australians in need of urgent consular assistance should contact DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia).
