The federal government has deployed additional Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and two aircraft to the Middle East as the conflict in Gaza continued on Oct. 25.
ADF personnel deployed from Townsville and Brisbane, while two Royal Australian Air Force C-130J aircraft deployed from Sydney as part of the government’s response to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Although Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles would not confirm the number of deployed soldiers, he told ABC News the “significant” contingent would join existing personnel and a C-17A Globemaster heavy transport aircraft already in the Middle East.
“That takes the total to three (aircraft), and we’re not identifying where they will be, but the point is to support Australian populations in the Middle East,” Mr. Marles said.
When asked if the deployment was to offer military support to Israel, he told 2GB radio, “No, we’re making sure that we have the presence there so that if we are in a position where we need to evacuate Australian citizens from a wider region, we can do that.”
“We want to ensure we’re prepared if matters worsen.”
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However, he urged Australian people in the Middle East, including in places like Lebanon, to go.
“Don’t rely on this; take the commercial options available and make a departure,” he said.
An estimated 79 Australians remain in Gaza, but over 800 of them were airlifted from Israel since the first government-assisted departure flight on Oct. 13.
It comes after the Israeli government formally declared war against the terrorist group Hamas—which controls the Gaza Strip—following a deadly coordinated strike against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 that resulted in 1,400 deaths, according to Israeli forces.
Since then, over 5,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, including 2,055 children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
The director of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Middle East and North Africa has said the death and injury rate of children in Gaza was “simply staggering,” appealing to all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and to allow aid into the enclave.
The Israeli Air Force intensified airstrikes on Gaza on Oct. 24, launching 400 over the past day, up from 320 the day before, including in the south where it had told civilians to evacuate.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is providing an initial $10 million (US$6.32 million) in humanitarian assistance to fund urgent needs like medical support, emergency water, nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene services.
United Nations Aid Chief Martin Griffiths said civilians “need more, much more,” as they struggled to have enough to eat or drink.
Conflict In Its ‘Early Stages’
ADF Chief General Angus Campbell said the conflict between Israel and Hamas appeared to “be in its early stages,” and that how long Australian personnel would be in the region was “uncertain.”Mr. Campbell added there had not been “senior” level engagements between the ADF and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in recent times, and there was no request from the IDF for assistance.
Meanwhile, Military Strategic Commitments Division Head Stephen Chappell said the move was a “precautionary and prudent pre-positioning of assets and capabilities to assist future eventualities.”
‘Australia Calls for a Safe Passage for Civilians’: Foreign Minister
Afterwards, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong called for humanitarian pauses in Gaza on Oct. 25 “so food, water, medicine and other essential assistance can reach people in desperate need and so civilians can get to safety.”Ms Wong took to X to add, “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and human suffering is widespread.”
“Australia has consistently called for the protection of civilian lives,” she said.
“We have consistently called for safe, unimpeded, and sustained humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians.”
However, she said the access in recent days was “nowhere near enough.”
“The way Israel exercises its right to defend itself matters. It matters to civilians throughout the region, and it matters to Israel’s ongoing security,” she said.
“Innocent Palestinian civilians should not suffer because of the outrages perpetrated by Hamas.”
She confirmed the government continues considering options to assist Australians who want to leave Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“We encourage Australians who want to leave to take the first option available; do not wait for a different option,” she said.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the Services Australia staffed National Emergency Call Centre played a critical role in times of crisis.
Staff answered 1,620 calls from people concerned about the situation in Israel and Gaza, seeking support to return home since the call centre was activated from 2 a.m. on Oct. 12 until midnight (AEDST).
“It’s important they know the Australian government is ready to assist, and I know the professional social workers and call centre staff at Services Australia will do everything they can to provide that help,” he said.
