Mercy flights to rescue Australians stranded in Lebanon as Israel continues its offensive

Two rescue flights will save some Australians stranded in Lebanon as tensions escalate in the region.

On Saturday, two government-backed charter flights will carry up to 500 passengers from the Lebanese capital Beirut to Larnaca, Cyprus.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has confirmed that Qantas will also operate two flights from Cyprus to Sydney free of charge for eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with rights of entry into Australia.

Ms Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave the conflict zone while the Beirut Rafic Hariri remains operational

Figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade show that around 15,000 Australians normally reside in Lebanon. There are fears that not enough Australians have taken the opportunity to leave, despite the escalating conflict.

“Our message to Australians in Lebanon remains: now is the time to leave,” she said.

‘Please take the first flight option available. There is no guarantee of preferential flights or that these flights will continue

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on Dahiyeh in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday

Earlier on Friday, Coalition Foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said there were “limits” to what Australia can do to help Australians in Lebanon.

Senator Birmingham said on Friday the possibility of Australians dying in Lebanon was “concerning” but that those who were still there “chose to stay despite explicit warnings from the Albanian government”.

He told Sky News that he and Foreign Minister Penny Wong had been “on the same page” for months when it came to telling Australians “not to travel to Lebanon and leave when you get there”.

It comes after opposition leader Peter Dutton called for the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, for describing Hassan Nasrallah as a “remarkable leader”.

Nasrallah was secretary general of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, before he was killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon in September.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday he condemned the ambassador’s comments and any support for terrorist organisations, but noted the importance of Australia’s ties with Iran.

“Australia has had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1968… not because we agree with the regime, but because it is in the national interest,” he told reporters in Sydney.

“It has never been an expression of support for the regime, but it has been a channel to protect Australia’s interests and to convey our views and those of our allies.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the Lebanese ambassador’s comments, but he will not be asked to leave

His government has sanctioned Iranian individuals and entities, Albanese said, while the former administration maintained “silence on Iran.”

Mr Dutton stressed that the Iranian ambassador’s comments were “completely and utterly contrary to what is in the best interests of our country.”

“The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary must show their strength of character and expel him from our country,” he told reporters in Brisbane.

As violence escalates in the Middle East, Australian politicians are urging citizens in Lebanon to leave.

But evacuation flights have so far taken off with empty seats.

A plane leaving Lebanon on Thursday with 80 seats allocated to Australians saw 41 people take up the offer and while there are 500 seats available on a flight leaving on Saturday, 238 Australians have registered so far.

“We have been warning for months now and begging people to please leave Lebanon because it is not a safe place,” Mr Albanese said.

Israel has stepped up military action against Lebanon, bombing southern parts of the country and the capital Beirut in attacks that have killed hundreds of people.

Mr Dutton also stressed that Australians in Lebanon should leave at the first opportunity.

‘If people are waiting for a RAAF flight, it becomes increasingly difficult. So I would say that they should follow the Prime Minister’s advice: book that commercial flight now and get out of harm’s way,” he said.

Israel has threatened to retaliate against Iran for a missile attack.

Smoke rises amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon on October 4

Assistant Secretary of State Tim Watts said that while Israel has the right to self-defense, he called for a de-escalation of tension.

“We must break the cycle of violence we see in the region. “It is not interesting for anyone in the region to see a regional conflict, and that is exactly what we are currently on the brink of,” he said.

As a deal was struck for a protest to go ahead in Sydney on Sunday, ahead of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, police forces from across Australia released a joint statement calling on attendees to be peaceful .

“Police remain vigilant in protecting Australians and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community and faith leaders to ensure Australian laws are understood,” the statement said.

“Police are planning and preparing for upcoming protests in some states and territories.”

Mr Albanese said the anniversary was a solemn occasion and “those planning events for October 7 should think again.”