Better out than in: Another 100 Aussies complete their great escape from Israel
Almost 100 people have landed in Dubai from Israel on an Australian repatriation flight.
People embrace as Australian nationals arrive on a repatriation flight at Sydney International Airport, Wednesday, October 18, 2023. More than 200 Australians evacuated from Israel have arrived home, as the government looks to secure safe passage for those stuck in Gaza. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that a government-arranged flight arrived from Tel Aviv overnight with 99 passengers onboard.
“We are planning an assisted-departure flight from Dubai to Perth tonight,” she said.
“Onward domestic travel is being provided to those passengers by Qantas free of charge.”
The government also helped Australians leave on a commercial Emirates flight from Dubai to Sydney.
Senator Wong said due to “diminishing demand for dedicated assisted-departure flights, we do not have immediate plans for any further flights from Tel Aviv”.
“We continue to work with partners to assist the departure of Australians who want to leave Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories,” she sai.
Commercial flights departing Tel Aviv remained available, the foreign minister said.
More than 1650 previously registered Australians have left Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The foreign affairs department is in contact with registered Australians about departure options.
The government has previously said there are 46 Australians in Gaza, and their safety remains unknown.
