TRANSCRIPT
- The world marks 12 months since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel...
- 904 Australians evacuated from Lebanon in the last 48 hours...
- The Panthers celebrate with fans, after winning their fourth straight NRL premiership.
Australia's ambassador to Lebanon, Andrew Barnes, says just over 900 Australians have been evacuated from Lebanon over the last 48 hours.
Two more flights are scheduled to leave the capital Beirut today and further flights are planned – pending demand, operational capacity and the security situation.
Nearly 3,800 Australians and their families are registered with the government to leave Lebanon.
Qantas Captain Owen Weaver says the airline is assisting with humanitarian recovery flights from Cyprus to Australia.
"We have ground teams that manage all of our aviation flying information, but also the information that the passengers need to get to the aircraft. And for us, the hard work is making sure we can get all the passengers safely to the airport, safely on the flight, and safely home."
Thousands of people from the north Gaza refugee camp of Jabaliya have fled south, following Israel's evacuation order of the north of the enclave.
Israeli military has announced a new air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, in northern Gaza, to respond to concerns that Hamas militants are regrouping.
People were seen fleeing with all the personal belongings they could carry, some on foot and others pulled by donkey and cart.
Gaza refugee Moe'n Khader says there was little notice before the new offensive started.
"We did not do anything and they attacked us without warning, without notifying us of maps or anything else. They surprised us this time and we fled. We left with our families and children without anything, just some special clothes."
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza after a year of Israel's military offensives has reached nearly 42,,000 people, according to Gaza Health's Ministry.
Australia's political leaders have released statements marking one-year since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, as rallies continue around the world marking the anniversary.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says October 7 is a day that carries terrible pain.
"Since the atrocities of October 7, Jewish Australians have felt the cold shadows of anti-semitism reaching into the present day. And as a nation we say: never again. We unequivocally, condemn .matters."
Federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton, says the last 12 months constitute one of the most difficult periods for Jewish Australians in yjr nation’s history; and today is about respecting the memories of the 1,200 killed, and praying for the hostages.
The leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt, says he also condemns the 7 October attacks, and has again called for Australia to pressure Israel to stop its military operation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Australians continued their weekly protests in support for the Palestinians in Gaza, urging an end to the fighting.
Rally co-organiser Tasnim Sammak told SBS, it is devastating reflecting on the loss of life In Gaza since October 7.
"My family lives in Gaza. My dad was born in a refugee in Gaza. We have been there since 1948 due to the Nakba, the ethnic clensing. Most of the population in Gaza are refugees. I've lost many family members to Israeli bombs and just yesterday my dad received the news that five women in our family - they survived an entire year of bombs. And now death has caught up to them. They are now under the rubble."
In sports, Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary says there is little more Penrith can do to prove they are the best team of the NRL era, after his side claimed their fourth-straight premiership.
Panthers players are celebrating their 14-6 grand final win over Melbourne with fans, at an event at the Panthers Penrith Leagues Club.
The team has made history as the first to win a fourth consecutive title in almost 60 years, when the great St George side won their last of their 11 straight in 1966.
South Sydney also won five straight between 1925 and 1929, as the only other team in the game's history to have claimed at least four titles on the trot.
Since the salary cap was introduced in 1990, only Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters have won back-to-back titles.
Nathan Cleary says he is still processing the result.
"Looking around and seeing four rings - it's honestly crazy. I think it was five years ago - or four years ago - that we were out there. We were the ones there crying, losing to that same time. They were the benchmark for so long. And then go four straight. Honestly, it's unbelievable; and it's such a great feeling."
And that's the latest from the SBS Newsroom.
