Hundreds of Australians Touch Down as Evacuation Flights From Lebanon Continue

The government and opposition have been warning citizens to leave Lebanon for months.

LARNACA, CYPRUS - OCTOBER 5: A Cypriot Civil Defence volunteer helps a child board a bus as Australians nationals arrive at Larnaca International Airport from Beirut on October 5, 2024 in Larnaca, Cyprus. As Israel's war with Hezbollah has led to escalating violence across Lebanon, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus is becoming a central waypoint for foreign nationals evacuating from Lebanon. During the 2006 Lebanon war, foreign governments evacuated many of their citizens by naval vessel to Cyprus. Photo by Alexis Mitas/Getty Images

Nearly 350 Australians fleeing Lebanon have arrived in Sydney on a government-assisted repatriation flight amid the conflict in the Middle East.

This comes as Israel launches—what the White House has called—“limited, targeted operations” against Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon.

On Oct. 8, Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the government had helped more than 1,000 Australians leave Beirut to date.

“But there are still over 3,000 people indicating they would like to leave Lebanon. So, it is really important that we continue working on this, but we do have to be mindful of the security situation along with a number of other factors,” she said on the Today Show on Oct. 8.

Around 3,700 Australians registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressing interest to leave the troubled country.

The federal government and opposition have, for months, warned Australians to leave the Middle East.

“To take the first opportunity that comes their way. But we will keep, of course, working to support Australians to get out of Beirut. But we do have to be mindful of the security circumstances and other factors at play as well,” said Minister Rishworth.

Scenes of Jubilation

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong took to X to welcome home the 349 Australians.

“Today, another two assisted departure flights leave Beirut Airport for Cyprus,” she said.

“The government is working to help more Australians leave Lebanon. Flights are subject to security and operational restrictions.”

Wong said on Oct. 8 that 311 Australians had left Beirut on a government-assisted flight overnight.

Australia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Andrew Barnes thanked all the staff at Beirut airport.

“It was wonderful to be able to give a young girl her first passport (and a koala!) at Beirut airport so she could depart on one of our assisted departure flights,” he said on X. 

Warnings Not Heeded

Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham suggested those who have ignored warnings leave Lebanon should cover their own costs.

“Ultimately, they need to be carrying the costs of any repatriation and evacuation out of Lebanon,” Birmingham said on Sky News Australia on Oct. 3.

Birmingham said the opposition was on a “unity ticket” with the government regarding the push for Australians to leave at the first available opportunity.

“Those warnings have been very clear cut, and unfortunately, there are thousands of people who chose to ignore those warnings,” he said.

“Now, they’ve done so for a variety of reasons, and ultimately, they are free to do so. But the consequence of that is they should understand there will be limitations on the ability of the Australian government to get them out of a conflict zone.

Qantas confirmed on Oct. 4 they would operate non-stop flights between Larnaca, Cyprus, and Sydney to help Australians in Lebanon return home “free of charge.“

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Clare O'Neil said she was moved by the scenes of families reuniting.

“We’re working assiduously to try to assist Australians who are in trouble there, and I’ll repeat the government’s message again that for any Australians who are in Lebanon, now is the time to get out,” she said on ABC on Oct. 8.

“There will not be endless opportunities to get government assistance to leave Lebanon, and I’d really ask everyone who is there to register with DFAT (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and take the first flight that’s offered to you to get home to safety.”