Organizing Flights to Evacuate Australians from Lebanon

October 1, 2024 TruthUSA

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong stated that the government is actively working to secure more flights in the coming days.

The Federal government is currently focused on facilitating the evacuation of Australians from Lebanon in light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Labor ministers Penny Wong and Clare O’Neil have both confirmed that efforts are underway to organize flights out of Lebanon for the affected Australians.

Penny Wong shared on X that several Australians in Lebanon were successfully accommodated on commercial flights on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

“We’re collaborating with partners such as Canada and the UK to ensure that Australians who wish to depart Lebanon can do so,” Wong stated.

This initiative follows Iran’s launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Oct. 9, forcing 10 million Israelis to seek refuge in bomb shelters for an hour. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate.

Lebanon’s involvement in the conflict is linked to Hezbollah, a terrorist group backed by Iran that operates from the country. Israel has recently initiated a limited ground operation in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.

According to Wong, the government has arranged additional seats for flights on Oct. 3 and is actively seeking access to more flights in the upcoming days.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is reaching out to registered Australians with the latest updates. Australians in Lebanon who wish to depart should ensure they are registered via DFAT’s crisis portal,” she pointed out.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil also disclosed that more than 15,000 Australians are still present in Lebanon as of Oct. 2.

“To those individuals in Lebanon, it is clearly not safe for you to remain there. If there are opportunities for commercial flights, please avail them,” she emphasized during an interview with Sunrise.

The DFAT crisis portal allows Australians and their immediate families in Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza to register for assistance.

Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley has urged the Australian government to stand in solidarity with allies like the U.S. in supporting Israel, emphasizing it as the “sole democracy in the Middle East.”

“I expect strong condemnation and a decisive response from our government to address the ongoing unacceptable situation of hostages being held and the potential actions that can be taken,” she insisted.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed full backing for Israel in response to the escalating conflict.

“As I have stated, I will always ensure that Israel has the capacity to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups,” she affirmed to the press.

“I am aware of the threat posed by Iran as a destabilizing and perilous force in the Middle East, and today’s attack on Israel further underscores this reality.”

However, Former President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was under control during his presidency and asserted, “If I win, we will have peace in the world again.”

Source link