Australians Urged to Leave Lebanon, Reconsider Need to Remain in Israel

Smoke and fire on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel, after Israel said it had noted the Hezbollah terrorist group preparing to attack Israel and had carried out strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 25, 2024. Aziz Taher/Reuters

Two federal government ministers have urged Australians to leave Lebanon amid concerns about escalation in the Middle East.

Australians are also being warned to reconsider the need to remain in Israel amid missile strikes between the two countries.

Israel conducted preemptive airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Aug. 25, targeting the terrorist group Hezbollah amid concerns of a missile attack on Israel.

In response, Hezbollah returned fire by launching hundreds of rockets and drones on Israeli territory.

Minister Murray Watt said the events in the Middle East underline the importance of people leaving the war affected areas during an interview with ABC.

“We have advised people not to travel to Lebanon because of the risk involved. I would be encouraging anyone who has friends and relatives in Lebanon to be encouraging them to get out as quickly as they can, while commercial flights are still available,” he said.

Watt said the government’s advice for Australians in Lebanon is that they should “get out as quickly as they can.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and travel advice website Smart Traveller warned Australians in Lebanon to leave immediately while commercial flights remain available.

“A number of airstrikes took place across southern Lebanon on Aug. 25. These highlight the continued risk of the security situation deteriorating with little or no notice,” the alert said.

Further, Smart Traveller urged Australians to leave Israel when it is safe to do so.

“A large number of rockets were launched at Israel on Aug. 25. Ben Gurion Airport was closed temporarily. If you are in the affected area, follow the advice of local authorities. This highlights the continued risk of the security situation deteriorating with little or no notice,” the website said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong shared the posts from Smart Traveller and warned that Australia was “gravely concerned” about the prospect of escalation in the Middle East.

“Further hostilities put tens of thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel at risk. We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate,” she said in a post to X on Aug. 25

“Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon should leave now, as the security situation could deteriorate quickly and with little or no notice.”

Israel’s war cabinet has declared a state of emergency, and there were no flights to and from the airport on Aug. 25.

The Israel Defense Force on Aug. 25 said their operation in Lebanon targeted terrorist infrastructure “Hezbollah planned to use against us,” to protect Israeli families and homes.

US Embassy in Jerusalem Issues Alert

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has also issued a security alert for Israel amid the strikes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In a security alert, the embassy reminded U.S. citizens of the need for caution and greater personal security awareness.

“Security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and unmanned aircraft system UAS intrusions, often take place without any warning,” the alert said.

“The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and the Israeli Homefront Command can change the guidance in response to the security situation.”

It also warned that U.S. government employees and their family members could be restricted from travelling to certain areas of Israel, including the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Tensions in the Middle East have been escalating since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, capturing over 200 hostages and killing 1,200 Israelis. Since then, more than 40,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

The terrorist organisation Hezbollah, established in 1982 in Lebanon, is a distinct militant organisation from Hamas, although both oppose Israel.

U.S. officials indicated mediation talks on the Israel-Hamas war on the weekend did not lead to a resolution. However, AP reported that talks are set to continue during the week in Cairo. 

Lower-level talks with mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt are continuing this week in an attempt to resolve remaining issues.

Mediator Qatar indicated during a visit to Australia last week that it remained hopeful and was certainly committed to the mediation process.

Majed Al-Ansari, advisor to the Qatari prime minister, said the meetings, also involving Egypt and the U.S., had been ongoing in Doha and Cairo.

“It’s very rare that we see direct negotiations between Hamas and Israel. It almost never has happened before in the history of mediation between both sides,” he said.