Key Points
- Australians and their families have touched down in Sydney on a government-assisted flight after fleeing Lebanon.
- The first flight landed on Monday night, and the second landed on Tuesday.
- Thousands of Australians have registered for government assistance to flee Lebanon amid ongoing violence.
A second evacuation flight out of Lebanon carrying 220 Australians, permanent residents and their family members has arrived in Sydney.
Six Australian government flights have now ferried people to safety as Israel continues its bombardment of Hezbollah targets.
Nearly 4,000 Australians and their families have registered to depart, with vulnerable and displaced passengers being prioritised.
In emotional scenes at Sydney Airport, hundreds of travellers were reunited with their families and loved ones.
Hundreds of Australians returned to Australia on Monday after being evacuated to Cyprus from Lebanon. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
Mary Haidar said she was overwhelmed and relieved to arrive safely in Australia on Tuesday night.
“I can’t describe it, it’s too much for me to say, I can’t even express,” she said.
“It’s important to remember there are still a lot of people suffering, but we’re very grateful to have her home,” her grandson Albert said.
Some 220 Australians and permanent residents touched down in Sydney on Tuesday night. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
Houda Ammoun says she’s thankful to be back in Australia.
The Sydney woman was among 220 Australians and permanent residents to touch down in Sydney late on Tuesday night after being evacuated from Lebanon.
But, like many, she’s concerned for the family left behind.
“It’s very hard, I can’t explain it, the smoke and everything,” she said, breaking down in tears.
“I’m very happy to be back home because over there is very, very sad.
“It’s not fair, why should we do this, it’s our home, our houses, our families.”
Dana Hamieh said she was grateful for the evacuation flights to Australia.
“We are very heartbroken, we are very exhausted after three days of no sleep, but at least now I know my kids are safe,” she said.
“When we left, it was terrifying … imagine you’ve been bombed, our houses have been bombed, our rooms have been bombed, no more neighbours … I never knew the importance of having this passport until today.”
Families were reunited at Sydney Airport on Monday night.
The 15,890km flight from Cyprus to Sydney, covered entirely by the federal government, was among the longest ever flown by Qantas, exceeding its regular Perth-London trip on its 787 Dreamliner.
Six government flights have ferried people to safety, while a further 3,892 Australians and their families are registered to depart, with vulnerable and displaced passengers prioritised.
The intensified violence reignited concerns for Australians in Lebanon, with the federal government urging citizens and permanent residents to leave before the situation deteriorates further.
In two weeks, Israel’s bombing campaign has killed more than 1400 Lebanese people and left another 1.2 million without homes.
This new front in Israel’s war opened after a year of violence in Gaza.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas led an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 250 hostage, according to the Israeli government.
In response, Israel has bombed and invaded Gaza while laying siege to its population, killing more than 41,000 people and leaving most of the territory’s residents displaced and facing starvation.
More than 900 Australians have been helped to leave Lebanon, and thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance.
The federal government is working to secure further seats on commercial airlines out of Lebanon, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong noted flights out “are subject to security and operational restrictions”.
Additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
