Australians are being warned to “immediately leave” Lebanon amid concerns Israel could launch a retaliatory attack on the nation after what is believed to have been a Lebanese rocket killed 12 children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The federal government has issued a travel advisory against Lebanon amid concerns over the “volatile security situation in the country and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that violence in the Middle East could become “much more savage” as tensions escalate and grow.
The conflict in Gaza threatens to spill over into neighbouring nations after Tel Aviv said the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched the deadly rocket attack that hit a football pitch.
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday’s attack, but that has not prevented an Israeli response.
The Israel Defense Forces launched a drone attack in Lebanon on Monday, killing two people and wounding three others.
Mr Albanese said tensions in the region were at “high risk” of escalating.
A suspected Lebanese missile killed 12 children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
The conflict in Gaza threatens to spill over into neighbouring nations after Tel Aviv said the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched the deadly rocket attack that hit a football pitch.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that violence in the Middle East could become “much more savage” as tensions escalate and grow.
“We saw that, with tragic consequences for Israeli citizens who lost their lives over the weekend, we continue to see a loss of life in Gaza,” he said.
‘(Hezbollah) represents a risk of a much more savage conflict, with consequences for Israel, for Lebanon, for the Middle East and for world peace.
“We want to see a cessation of hostilities, we want to see the release of the hostages, we want to see a path to peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians in the region.”
He added: ‘The travel advice is very clear: do not go to Lebanon.
‘That’s the travel advice, and also that people who are there, who are Australian citizens, should make sure they take advantage of the commercial flights that are available from Lebanon at the moment.
“This is an area of concern. We have been issuing these travel warnings for many months and it is important that people are aware of them.”
In a move that could strengthen ties between Tel Aviv and Canberra, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will land in Israel for a three-day trip on Monday.
He is expected to meet members of his government and those affected by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to more than 200 being taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
“The ties between Australia and Israel are deep and enduring,” Dutton said in a statement.
“It is a relationship that will only grow stronger, built around our devotion to democracy in a world where our values and way of life face old and new threats.”
In the nine months since the Hamas attack, Israel has launched a bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry. Nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s residents, some 1.9 million people, have been displaced, while 495,000 face catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Smartraveller, run by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warns Australians that the situation in Lebanon could “deteriorate rapidly” with little notice as military action in the region increases.
The government has urged Australians to leave the country while commercial flights are still available.
“Some airlines have postponed or cancelled some flights. Further flight cancellations and disruptions may occur with little or no notice,” the warning reads.
As tensions rise, Beirut’s airport could be forced to close, leaving people stranded for extended periods.
International airlines, including Germany’s Lufthansa, Swiss and Eurowings, have reportedly suspended all flights to and from Beirut until August 5.
Air France has suspended all flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Beirut scheduled for July 29 and 30.
Australians warned to ‘immediately leave’ Lebanon amid concerns Israel could launch retaliatory strike
The government has warned that the conflict could spread to other areas of Lebanon, including Beirut, and could limit the ability of travelers to move safely.
“Air France is monitoring the situation in Lebanon in real time,” the airline said.
Those who choose not to leave are warned that the government may not be able to help them if the situation worsens.
The warning comes as military action has increased in southern Lebanon, including rocket and missile fire as well as airstrikes.
The government has warned that the conflict could spread to other areas of Lebanon, including Beirut, and could limit the ability of travelers to move safely.
The federal government has advised Australians not to travel to the region since October 19.