Three more repatriation flights have landed in Australia from Lebanon overnight, bringing hundreds more people to safety from the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The planes touched down in Sydney and Brisbane, prompting emotional scenes at both airports as loved ones reunited.
“We (could) hear the bombing and we were so scared, our family is so scared,” one person said.
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“I really appreciate what you did for us, our government, our people in Australia, the support they offer us, and we hope for peace between every nation.”
“There’s no place like home,” another person said after touchdown.
“It’s the best feeling ever.”
More than 1200 Australians, permanent residents, and their immediate family members have been evacuated from Lebanon on six Australian government charter flights since Israel escalated its attacks on what the IDF says are Hezbollah targets in the country.
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Close to 4000 remain in Lebanon waiting to learn when they’ll be able to leave with the vulnerable and displaced being prioritised.
Further flights are planned for the coming days, and the government has told Australians in Lebanon to take the first flight that is available to them, as there’s no guarantee these flights will be able to continue.
The IDF has claimed overnight that the replacement commander of Hezbollah has been killed, while Israeli troops have raised the country’s flag in the Lebanese town of Maroun al-Ras.
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Israel has previously said no occupation of Lebanon is intended.
Hundreds of rockets meanwhile have been launched at the northern Israeli town of Haifa, with some getting through the country’s missile defences.
One resident said there had been several injuries.
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