The Australian government has urged an estimated 15,000 of its citizens living in Lebanon to pack up leave, citing the risk that Beirut airport may close and make difficult, the task of evacuating large numbers if the situation worsens.
Israel widened its airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday and about 72 people were killed, with Israel’s military chief saying that a ground assault was possible.
Meanwhile, Britain is moving its troops to Cyprus, to join two Royal Navy ships already there, in an attempt to help evacuate nationals trapped in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese had said that his government had made contingency plans that could include evacuations by water, but they refused to give details.
An estimated 15,000 Australians live in Lebanon, according to Australia’s foreign ministry.
In 2006, Australia withdrew over 5000 of its citizens and another 1200 foreigners from Lebanese ports, with the help of Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and Turkey, during a war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The 2006 consular operation had been touted as Australia’s largest ever evacuation that involved 17 ships, 22 Australian aircraft and more 470 buses.
