New warning to Australians in Lebanon

Australians living in Lebanon have been given a renewed warning to leave immediately as fears grow the security situation could worsen in coming days.

In a video message, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government may not be able to help them should violence in the region escalate.

The warning follows an Israeli drone strike which killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, sparking fears of retaliation.

“My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is now is the time to leave,” Senator Wong said in the video.

“Beirut airport could close completely if the situation worsens and if that happens, the government may not be able to help Australians still in Lebanon to evacuate.

“You may not be able to leave Lebanon for an extended period.”

Australians in Lebanon have been advised to register their details with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said while warnings had been made to Australians in Lebanon for months to leave while they could, the situation in the Middle East had prompted renewed concerns.

“If there is a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, that will really add to the catastrophe that we’re seeing in the Middle East,” he told Sydney radio station 2Day FM.

“We remain very concerned, as do, of course, our friends in the United States have certainly been issuing these warnings as well.”

Senator Wong said while allies were still hopeful of peace deals being brokered in the Middle East, the situation may not allow for that to take place.

“We are working with partners in the region to push for restraint and de-escalation. But now is not the time for Australians in the region to wait and see what happens,” she said.

“Now is the time to leave.”

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher also reiterated calls for Australians to get out of Lebanon or not to travel to the country.

“We’re really concerned about the possibility of regional escalation in the Middle East and we want Australians to take it seriously if they are in that region,” she told ABC TV on Thursday.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Israel had acted in self-defense in relation to the death of Hamas’ leader.

“We know with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, they pose a threat to our way of life. They certainly pose an existential threat to the Israeli people,” he told Sky News.

“You would expect the Israelis to take action, particularly given the slaughter that took place on October 7.”