Currently, 46 Australians are trapped in Gaza due to the Israel and Hamas conflict. The Australian government is urging these individuals to return home as soon as possible. The situation in the region has worsened recently, with a video showing hundreds of people being affected by a hospital blast in Gaza. Clare O’Neil, the Home Affairs Minister, has advised Australians in the area that the situation is deteriorating rapidly and it is in their best interest to take the first available flight back to Australia.
Overnight, the number of Australians trapped in Gaza has increased to 46, and around 1,200 people in the conflict zone are in contact with the Australian Government. O’Neil has mentioned that recent flights out of Israel have had empty seats, and it is uncertain if people will be able to leave later. A Qatar Airways flight carrying 200 people from Israel has already arrived in Sydney.
In recent news, a hospital in Gaza has been hit, resulting in the deaths of 500 people. While the Gaza health ministry has blamed Israel, the Israel Defense Forces have denied any involvement, stating that an Islamic Jihad rocket misfired and hit the hospital. International leaders, including Penny Wong, the Foreign Minister of Australia, and Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, have condemned the bombing of the hospital and called for the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Australian Government is collaborating with the international community to establish a humanitarian corridor out of Gaza to ensure the safety of Australians trapped there without adequate food and water. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Miles has stated that efforts are being made to find ways to bring these individuals to safety, including working with other countries.