Foreign affairs officials have expressed concern that Australians in Lebanon are not heeding their advice to consider leaving the country, despite mounting fears of the Israel-Gaza conflict potentially escalating into a wider regional conflict. Bureaucrats from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) addressed a Senate estimates committee, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Deputy Secretary Craig Maclachlan reported that Australians in Lebanon are not departing in the numbers recommended. Only 400 of the estimated 15,000 Australians in Lebanon have registered with the Department since the travel advice was upgraded to discourage travel to the country. He cautioned against assuming that evacuation flights would be readily available in the event of a deteriorating security situation.
Maclachlan emphasized the uncertainty surrounding evacuation plans due to evolving circumstances. In 2006, the Australian government successfully evacuated over 5,000 Australians from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. However, Maclachlan noted that current options are more limited, citing restrictions on overland travel through Syria and potential challenges with available airfields and ferries.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong underscored the importance of closely monitoring travel advice for Australians in Lebanon. She pointed out that the government’s options for assisting Australians in the region are now more constrained compared to 2006, while the number of Australians in Lebanon has increased.
The government recently announced the deployment of undisclosed Australian Defence Force (ADF) troops and two RAAF aircraft to the Middle East, with Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles suggesting they could be deployed to support Australians requiring assistance in the region.
In addition to addressing the situation in Lebanon, officials also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Senator Wong called for a “humanitarian pause in hostilities” and urged Israel to prioritize civilian protection.
DFAT provided insight into the allocation of $25 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, emphasizing support for critical needs such as water, sanitation, and medical supplies. The challenges in delivering aid to Gaza were acknowledged, with only a fraction of the usual number of trucks allowed to pass through the Egypt-Gaza border.
Senator Wong acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense but stressed the importance of safeguarding innocent civilians, emphasizing that long-term peace and security rely on preventing further suffering and resentment stemming from the crisis.
