Australia (Commonwealth)_The Australian federal government is reportedly providing financial assistance to some Australian citizens in Lebanon, facilitating their departure as Israel’s ground incursion into the region intensifies. This move is part of a broader strategy to repatriate Australian nationals from Lebanon, where an estimated 15,000 Australians are currently residing.
Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon, remains open, allowing both Australian passport holders and visa holders to be guided onto outbound flights with the help of Australian diplomatic staff. While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not provided official comments on the specifics of these operations, such efforts are consistent with the Australian government’s standard protocols for evacuating citizens from areas of heightened risk.
In an official statement, DFAT advised Australians in Lebanon to take the first available opportunity to exit the country, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Do not wait for a preferred route,” the statement urged, citing ongoing flight disruptions and cancellations. It also warned that the Beirut airport could potentially close for an extended period if the conflict escalates.
DFAT has been collaborating with international partners, including Canada and the United Kingdom, to ensure Australians have avenues to leave the country swiftly. The department has further encouraged Australian nationals in Lebanon to remain prepared for rapid evacuation or, if necessary, to shelter in place for an extended duration. This includes ensuring they have essential supplies and that their identification documents are readily accessible.
The statement from DFAT also acknowledged that if conditions in Lebanon worsen, the Australian government might not be able to assist all citizens. “We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and the risk of it deteriorating further,” the department reiterated, stressing the urgency of leaving as soon as possible.
Historically, the Australian government has coordinated with other nations to charter evacuation flights when commercial options become unviable. In 2006, for instance, 500 Australians stranded in Beirut were evacuated by boats under strict Israeli conditions after previous attempts to secure commercial flights failed. Contingency plans for a similar emergency evacuation are already in place and have been for several months, with the possible involvement of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel already stationed in the Middle East.
Though the ADF has not disclosed specific details about the locations or operations of their personnel due to security concerns, Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles stated last year that three aircraft were positioned in the Middle East to support any necessary airlifts. These arrangements would be activated if the situation in Lebanon deteriorates to the point where commercial flights are no longer available.
Currently, the conflict in Lebanon is escalating, particularly in the south, where Israel is targeting Hezbollah forces. The Lebanese government reports that over 1,000 individuals have been killed, 6,000 injured, and one million displaced as a result of the violence. Simultaneously, northern Israel has seen over 60,000 residents displaced due to relentless rocket fire from Hezbollah since October 2023.
On the international stage, the UK recently chartered a flight to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy describing the situation as highly volatile with the potential for rapid deterioration. The Australian government, through Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has reiterated its call for Australians in Lebanon to make contact with DFAT and leave the country as soon as possible. “We repeat the call for Australians who are in Lebanon to come home,” said Albanese, emphasizing that there are still commercial flight options available.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the complexity of the situation due to the large number of Australians currently in Lebanon. She confirmed that the government is exploring all contingency options, but noted that the sheer volume of people may make it challenging to evacuate everyone. “We will continue to work with our partners on what arrangements can be made, but I again stress the numbers would render it unlikely that we could assist all Australians in Lebanon,” Wong explained.
The Australian government’s position remains clear: citizens in Lebanon must act swiftly to leave through existing commercial means while they are still available, as the window of opportunity may soon close.
