Hundreds of Australians evacuated from Lebanon as Middle East conflict intensifies

Hundreds of Australians have escaped mortal danger in Lebanon as the Middle East braces for Israel’s next move.

Hundreds of Australians have escaped mortal danger in Lebanon as fighting between Israel and terrorist group Hezbollah continues to escalate.

Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed on Sunday some 450 Australians have been evacuated from Beirut this week, after snap government action secured hundreds of seat on commercial flights leaving the Lebanese capital.

“In the last 24 hours, we had a couple of flights leave Beirut for Cyprus on which we have been able to assist more than 400 largely-Australian citizens,” Mr Marles told ABC’s Insiders.

“That takes to a total of more than 450 over the course of the last week.

“There’s a couple more flights leaving Beirut today, Lebanon time, and we will be hoping to see more Australians on those flights as well.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles says some 450 Australians have been evacuated from Lebanon. Picture: DFAT

Cyprus, an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, is the nearest safe pick up point.

The Defence Minister said the government had arranged for Qantas and Qatar Airways to transport evacuees from Cyprus back to Australia.

Thousands more Australians remain in Lebanon, and with Hezbollah positions close to Beirut’s main airport, flights could cease at any time.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s south in the early hours of Sunday (local time).

“Again, our message, which we have been repeating for some time now is: this is the time to leave,” Mr Marles said.

“The airport remains open which is a blessing. It’s really important that people take the opportunity to leave.”

He said about 3600 Australians have registered with the embassy in Beirut, requesting “some form of assisted departure”.

A mercy flight carrying 229 Australians lands in Cyprus from Lebanon. Picture: NewsWire handout

At least one RAAF transport plane landed in Cyprus earlier this week.

Mr Marles said the C17 would be “relocating elsewhere within the region”. NewsWire has asked Defence if that plane would fly on to Lebanon.

Israel’s action against Hezbollah follows nearly a year of cross-border rocket fire targeting civilians areas in northern Israel, which has forced tens of thousands from their homes.

The Iran-backed Islamist groupbegan attacking Israel in solidarity with Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that administers Gaza.

The region is bracing for Israel’s response to the barrage of nearly 200 missiles Iran fired at it earlier this week.

More to come.

Originally published as Hundreds of Australians evacuated from Lebanon as Middle East conflict intensifies