“We’re incredibly relieved that overnight 23 individuals who had been registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), including 20 Australians, were able to cross the border at Rafah [into Egypt],” Mr. Watts told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Nov. 1.
“Crossings like this are the result of an enormous effort from Australian consular officials and diplomats in the region,” he said.
Australian consular officials in Egypt met the 20 Australians and assisted them with ongoing travel arrangements.
DFAT is supporting the 65 Australians who remain in Gaza with consular assistance and are trying to enable them to make the passage across the Rafah crossing “as soon as possible.”
“We’re providing all possible support we can, communicating through all available channels, the best information and options we have about their safety in a very, very difficult situation,” Mr. Watts said.
“These circumstances on the ground are obviously incredibly challenging, and they are changing on a day‑to‑day basis.
“This is a conflict zone, it’s a very difficult operating environment, so we do the best job that we can in the circumstances.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for DFAT said Gaza continues to be highly challenging but that it is doing all it can to facilitate more departures as soon as possible.
“DFAT will also continue to support any individuals registered with us who are unable or do not want to depart Gaza,” the spokesperson said.
It comes after the Israeli government formally declared war against the terrorist group Hamas following a deadly coordinated strike against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 that resulted in 1,400 deaths, according to Israeli forces.
UN agency Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said the tragedy scale in Gaza was “unprecedented” after he visited the Gaza Strip for the first time since Oct. 7.
What Happened Next?
Mr. Watts elaborated those who escaped Gaza overnight received essential emotional human‑to‑human support from consular officials.“I’ve heard from so many Australians just how much it means to hear an Australian accent, you know, someone from the home country to help them out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the travel arrangement support differed from case to case depending on the people’s desires and intent.
Mr. Watts said currently, there are commercial options that get people where they need to go. Two Royal Australia Airforce (RAAF) planes in the region are ready for consular contingencies.
When asked if travel would involve repatriation flights and assistance from Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, Mr. Watts said, “There’s not currently a demand for more of those flights,” adding that commercial options are available.
So far, about 2,000 Australians have now left either Israel or the Palestinian territories, either returning directly back to Australia or moving to other places of safety near the region.
The federal government deployed additional ADF personnel and two aircraft to the Middle East on Oct. 25.
15,000 Australians Urged to Leave Lebanon
Further, Mr. Watts strongly advised Australians in Lebanon to leave immediately. There are about 15,000 Australians who live in Lebanon long-term and thousands more who are visiting.“We’re doing a lot of work preparing for, if there’s a need, for a large‑scale departure from Lebanon,” he said.
“We don’t know what the situation’s going to look like in the coming days, in the coming weeks.”
He added that it may become much more difficult for the Australian government to assist with departures as the situation unfolds.
Still a Lot More Work to Do, Wong Says
While the has been government working to assist with departures, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said, “We still have work to do,”Ms. Wong told ABC radio, “We will keep working to ensure we get as many of the Australian cohort out [of Gaza] as possible if [the Rafah crossing] is opened again, as we anticipate is possible.”
She said the work would include continued consular assistance.
“This is a very difficult situation, but I’m glad we’re in the position of being able to provide consular assistance in person and not just trying to contact people in Gaza by phone or email,” she said.
She refers to Australian officials in Egypt who have ensured people’s needs were met and assessed.
“I think the reality is the international community won’t accept ongoing civilian deaths. So, when friends like Australia urge Israel to exercise restraint and protect civilian lives, it is really critical that Israel listens,” she added.
