Australians are being warned to ‘immediately leave’ Lebanon amid concerns Israel could launch a retaliatory attack on the nation after what is believed to be a Lebanese rocket killed 12 children in Israeli occupied Golan Heights.
The federal government has issued a Do Not Travel alert for Lebanon amid concerns over the country’s ‘volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further‘.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now warned violence in the Middle East could become ‘far more savage’ as the tensions fester and grow.
The conflict in Gaza is threatening to spill into neighbouring nations after Tel Aviv claimed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched the deadly rocket strike which hit a soccer field.
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday’s attack but that has not prevented an Israeli response.
Israel Defence Forces on Monday launched a drone strike on Lebanon, killing two people and wounding three more.
Mr Albanese said tensions in the region were at ‘great risk’ of escalation.
A suspected Lebanese rocket killed 12 children in Israeli occupied Golan Heights
The conflict in Gaza is threatening to spill into neighbouring nations after Tel Aviv claimed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched the deadly rocket strike which hit a soccer field
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now warned violence in the Middle East could become ‘far more savage’ as the tensions fester and grow
‘We saw that with tragic consequences for those Israeli citizens who lost their life over the weekend, we continue to see a loss of life in Gaza,’ he told.
‘We want to see hostilities cease, we want to see the hostages released, we want to see a pathway toward peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians in the region.’
He added: ‘The travel advice very clearly is don’t go to Lebanon.
‘That is the travel advice, and also that people who are there, who are Australian citizens, should ensure that they take advantage of the commercial flights that areavailable out of Lebanon at this time.
‘This is a troubling area. We have been issuing these travel warnings for many months now, and it is important that people are cognisant of those warnings.’
In a move that could strengthen bonds between Tel Aviv and Canberra, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will land in Israel for a three-day trip on Monday.
He is expected to meet members of its government and those affected by the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed 1200 people and led more than 200 to be taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
‘The connections between Australia and Israel are deep and abiding,’ Mr Dutton said in a statement.
‘It’s a relationship which will only grow stronger, built around our devotion to democracy in a world where our values and way of life faces old and new threats.’
In the nine months since the Hamas attack, Israel has launched a bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry.Almost 90 per cent of Gazans, about 1.9 million people, have been displaced while 495,000 are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Smartraveller, run by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is warning Australians the situation in Lebanon could ‘deteriorate rapidly’ with little notice as military action within the region increases.
The government has urged Australians to leave while commercial flights are still available.
‘Some airlines have postponed or cancelled some flights. Further flight cancellations and disruptions could occur with little or no notice,’ the warning read.
As tensions escalate, Beirut Airport could be forced to close leaving people stranded for extended periods.
International airlines, including German airlines Lufthansa, Swiss and Eurowings have reportedly suspended all flights to and from Beirut until August 5.
Air France has suspended all flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Beirut scheduled for July 29 and 30.
Australians are being warned to ‘immediately leave’ Lebanon amid concerns Israel could launch a retaliatory attack
The government has warned the conflict could spread to other areas in Lebanon including Beirut and could limit the ability of travellers to move safely
‘Air France is monitoring the situation in Lebanon in real time,’ the airline reportedly said.
Those who choose not to leave are being warned the government may not be able to assist them if the situation escalates.
The warning comes as military action has increased in southern Lebanon, including rocket and missile fire as well as air strikes.
The government has warned the conflict could spread to other areas in Lebanon including Beirut and could limit the ability of travellers to move safely.
The federal government has advised Australians not to travel to the region since October 19.
