About 20 Australians were able to cross the Rafah border into Egypt with the help of Australian consular officials and regional diplomats. Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Tim Watts stated that 65 Australians still remained in Gaza.
Watts expressed relief that 23 individuals, including 20 Australians, were able to cross the border. He acknowledged the significant effort put forth by Australian consular officials and diplomats in the region.
Australian consular officials in Egypt assisted the 20 Australians with their travel arrangements. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is providing support to the remaining 65 Australians in Gaza and working to enable their passage across the Rafah crossing as soon as possible.
Given the challenging circumstances on the ground, Watts emphasized that the situation in Gaza is constantly changing. DFAT is doing its best to provide support and communicate information about the safety of Australian citizens.
Furthermore, DFAT spokesperson mentioned that Gaza remains highly challenging, but efforts are being made to facilitate more departures for Australians. DFAT will also continue supporting individuals who are unable or do not wish to leave Gaza.
In recent developments, the Israeli government formally declared war against Hamas following a deadly attack on Israeli civilians. The UN agency Commissioner General described the scale of the tragedy in Gaza as unprecedented and called for a meaningful humanitarian response.
Watts stated that the Australians who escaped Gaza overnight received emotional support from consular officials. Additionally, travel arrangements varied based on individuals’ desires and intentions. Commercial options are available for those who wish to leave, and there is currently no demand for more repatriation flights.
Approximately 2,000 Australians have left the region, either returning directly to Australia or seeking safety in nearby locations. The federal government deployed additional Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft to the Middle East.
In Lebanon, there are approximately 15,000 Australians who are urged to leave immediately. The government is making preparations for a potential large-scale departure from Lebanon. However, the situation remains uncertain, and it may become increasingly challenging to assist with departures in the future.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong acknowledged that there is still work to be done to ensure the safe return of Australians from Gaza. She emphasized the importance of providing in-person consular assistance and urged Israel to exercise restraint to protect civilian lives.