Palmerston photographer Asher Lilley and her family condemn the lack of embassy support amid Israel-Hamas bloodshed

A Territory family has hit out at what they say is a lack of support for trapped Australians caught in the middle of the active conflict zone in Israel.

A Northern Territory family trapped in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war zone has hit out at what they say is a lack of practical support from the Australian government to flee the bloodshed.

Asher Lilley said she was preparing to flee Tel Aviv alongside her parents and sister on Tuesday, three days after a missile narrowly missed the Palmerston family’s hotel during Saturday’s surprise co-ordinated bombing campaign.

Ms Lilley said the missile struck within 50m of their beachfront hotel in the “terrifying” attack, with the family forced to shelter in a nearby stairwell.

The Darwin-based photographer said her family was “getting ready to evacuate where we are” after spending the past few nights in a bomb shelter as the sounds of fighting and explosions continued to ring out around them.

Palmerston photographer Asher Lilley said she and her family were struggling to get help from the Australian Embassy after being trapped in Israel amid the bloody conflict.

Ms Lilley said she and her family had tickets booked for Wednesday evening, but said flights were all still “touch and go”.

Despite other airlines allowing customers to move their tickets to earlier flights for free, Ms Lilley claimed Australians were being charged thousands of dollars for the same service.

“I didn’t think they could get any lower, yet here they are. Charging Aussie citizens $$$ to flee,” Ms Lilley posted to Instagram.

Other Australians have claimed their friends were billed $10,000 for flights out of the war zone.

In a statement, Qantas said reports the airline was charging “exorbitant fares to flee Israel are completely wrong”.

“Qantas does not fly directly to Israel. Some customers have booked flights to and from Israel on our partner airlines via Qantas.com,” the statement read.

“All of these customers can get a refund if they no longer wish to fly or we will waive the change fees if they want to move flights.

“This is subject to seat availability on other flights.

“Customers who are trying to leave Tel Aviv and are having difficulties with flights can contact us to discuss alternatives.

“We understand these are distressing and challenging circumstances.

“We have been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and offered support for Australians in Israel.”

Ms Lilley said there had also been no support from the Australian government for those stuck in the conflict, with no contact from the embassy in Israel for 48 hours.

“We’ve had no support. No contact. From either the embassy or ... government officials,” Ms Lilley said.

She said the only advice from DFAT was for her family to “watch flights”.

Palmerston family Eden Lilley, Tracey Lilley, Chris Lilley and Asher Lilley on holiday in Israel, before the escalation of violence in the troubled region.

Ms Lilley said when she called the embassy the only response was: “We hope it works out for you”.

“Which is just like a horrible thing to say to someone in a situation like this,” she said.

“They made it out like we had just missed a flight or something and we’re not stuck in the middle of a war zone.”

Ms Lilley said the “thoughts and prayers” from politicians and diplomats were not going to keep Australians safe.

Palmerston photographer Asher Lilley with a friend (pictured) in a bomb shelter after a recent escalation of violence in Israel.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said he had been contacted about the welfare of the Lilley family, and had passed on advice to the trapped Territorians.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said efforts were ongoing to confirm the welfare of Australians who may have been caught in the attack on Israel.

“Australian officials are monitoring the situation closely and remain in touch with local authorities,” she said.

“Presently there are commercial flights available and Australians in Israel who wish to leave should pursue those options.”

More than 1000 people have been killed amid a series of bloody attacks and the bombing of civilian areas, while Israel has mobilised 300,000 troops on the border ahead of a large-scale ground invasion.

The United Nations has appealed for the creation of “humanitarian corridors” to bring food into the besieged area, with more than 123,000 people displaced within the Gaza Strip.

Palmerston woman Asher Lilley photographed missiles flying above buildings in Tel Aviv amid an escalation of violence in Israel.

Ms Lilley expressed her sympathies to the Palestinian people, while also condemning the Hamas attack.

“You can support a country’s cry for their lands back without supporting terrorist organisations that murder innocent civilians,” she said.

Ms Lilley said prior to the recent bloody military campaign, that was a surprise even to Israeli nationals, she felt safe in Israel.

“We went to all different towns and villages of all different religions and it was peaceful,” she said.

Originally published as Palmerston photographer Asher Lilley and her family condemn the lack of embassy support amid Israel-Hamas bloodshed