More Australian repatriation flights scheduled to leave Israel

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More repatriation flights for Australians in Israel are scheduled to leave from Tel Aviv today, the Foreign Minister has announced, after the flights were cancelled yesterday.

Wong confirmed "multiple" flights are back on, but they remain subject to the "security environment".

There will be a mixture of chartered and air force planes, with registered Aussies to hear about seats for flights today.

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People pass a police station that was destroyed after a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas militants on October in Sderot, Israel.

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She said the federal government was also working with partners including commercial carriers to get from Dubai from Australia.

"If you wish to leave we strongly encourage you to take the first option that becomes available to you," Wong said.

She said 1540 Aussies were registered with authorities, but many had now left.

https://twitter.com/SenatorWong/status/1713377540193362100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Meanwhile, the advice for the bordering nation Lebanon has been upgraded.

While the current Smart Traveller advice is currently "reconsider the need to travel to the nation", she said Aussies there should now "consider whether need to remain there is essential."

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at a press conference on October 10, 2023.

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The first of the flights landed in London yesterday, but the Department of Foreign Affairs' Smart Traveller account posted an update on social media hours afterwards, announcing that two subsequent flights had been postponed.

Senator Penny Wong further explained the situation, saying: "Departures from Gaza are extremely challenging due to the dangerous security situation."

Qantas flight departing Tel Aviv.

"850 previously registered Australians and their families have now left Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. DFAT is assisting more than 1500 registered Australians in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Not all of those are looking to leave."

Australians in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories should register via https://crisis.dfat.gov.au/crisisportal/s/ or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from Australia).