TRANSCRIPT
“Ok guys! We gotta get off the roof, these are coming down right next to us here!”
News of an Iranian attack on Israel was quickly condemned by the Australian government, including frontbench minister Clare O'Neil.
“This is a hugely concerning development overnight and the Australian government utterly condemns this escalation of violence from Iran.”
And Opposition Leader Peter Dutton:
“I condemn absolutely the actions of Iran overnight in their attacks on Israel. Israel is the only democracy in that part of the world. I think the way in which the Prime Minister has responded - or has not responded - here, has made it more precarious for us here in Australia.”
As the Israeli Defence Force ramps up its incursion into Southern Lebanon, the region is bracing for an all-out war.
At least 15,000 Australians are still in Lebanon, and many Lebanese-Australians with family or friends trapped in the warzone fear for their safety.
These are just a few.
“It's really bad because there's a lot of families here that can't get to where they are. They've lost reception, they can't talk to each other anymore because of what's been going on.”
“It's impacting them because it's impacting their loved ones, it's impacting their families, it's impacting their land. Where they grew up for years and centuries.”
“We can't help them because we don't have anything. No power. We just pray for them.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made another plea to Australians in Lebanon to get out now.
“We've been calling for many months for people to leave the region, for Australian citizens to come to safety in Australia. This is a dangerous region at the moment. We know that is the case but it hasn't just arisen in past days and we have been calling for many, many months for people to take the opportunity to leave through commercial means.”
Some, like Australian citizen Marie Shebl, are trying to leave.
But she says the earliest flight she could book is in 10 days.
“I came three weeks ago on September 12th to visit my family. Here I am, I'm stuck. We would have never expected the situation to deteriorate so much. Like all people here, we're all suffering. It really is - I don't know how to describe it. I have lived the war before but this is something totally different. I tried several times to reschedule my flight but I was unlucky because so much so demand.”
As carriers divert their routes and with commercial options severely restricted, O'Neil confirmed that the Australian government has stepped in.
“We'll do everything we can to support Australians who are stuck there in the conflict. We've already started that activity. There was a flight last night where Australian government supported Australians to leave and another one tonight, so that's about 100 seats that have assisted Australians out of the region.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong added in statement that the government has secured additional seats on commercial flights this Thursday and is working to ensure Australians who want to leave Lebanon can, including with partners such as Canada and the UK.
The UK is chartering a flight for British citizens, as Canada secures 800 seats on commercial flights over the next three days.
But Australian community groups are calling for contingency plans to kick in.
Ali Bazzi from the Arab Council of Australia says while some have managed to fly from Beirut to Dubai, many are now stuck in the U-A-E trying to find seats on flights back to Sydney or Melbourne.
“I think the Australian government has been playing a very negative neutral role in that, I wish they would become more involved and try to charter planes or find some way to remove these people from Dubai. For some of them staying in Dubai is quite a financial burden on them so the Australian government, I think, is responsible to take care of these people.”
SBS understands charter flights are on standby as are sea evacuation options similar to those used during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
But the government is still urging anyone with existing commercial flights, to take them.
