Stranded Australians call for help as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East
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Disclaimer: This article has graphic depictions of war and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
The situation in Lebanon took a dire turn, which left locals and foreigners stranded amidst the chaos.
Despite travel warnings from the Australian government, several Australians found themselves in the middle of the crossfire.
Sydney resident Souad Jammal found herself in a state of disbelief.
Jammal, who visited her family in her hometown, Chthoura, was supposed to go home last Wednesday.
Yet, her return flight to Abu Dhabi got cancelled right before her eyes.
Apart from Ms Jammal's flight, over 30 flights from Beirut were scrapped due to the deteriorating security situation.
'My kids are in Australia, crying, saying "Mum, you have to come back,"' Ms Jammal lamented.
However, with a ground invasion looming, her options have dwindled.
'I'm scared. I swear to God. Last night, I did not sleep. The day before, I did not sleep as well,' Ms Jammal shared.
The tension between Israel and Hezbollah has been escalating for almost a year, with the past week seeing a significant uptick in hostilities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) started air strikes and rocket attacks across Lebanon, targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed paramilitary group, is also considered a terrorist organisation by Australia.
According to Beirut's official updates, the attacks resulted in approximately 600 deaths and thousands of injuries.
A report from the United Nations (UN) also shared that around 90,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced by the violence.
The Australian government advised about 15,000 Australians in Lebanon to leave, but the window of opportunity is closing fast.
Developments on the ground are alarming, as Hezbollah fired a surface-to-surface missile towards Tel Aviv, which was eventually intercepted.
The IDF's top general, Herzi Halevi, also announced preparations for a ground invasion to 'continue degrading Hezbollah'.
Despite the danger, not all Australians want to leave the country.
Perth native Mary-Ann Flegg, who moved to Beirut a year ago with her daughters, found her calling in the country as a missionary.
She felt a strong connection to the community she served in.
'I don't want to leave them and abandon them at this time. This is when they need us to help,' Ms Flegg shared.
Ms Flegg also shared that she is prioritising the safety of her children and has prepared contingency plans for several scenarios.
'The tipping point would be if there is nowhere for us to feel completely safe,' Ms Flegg added.
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that the Australian government may not be able to assist all nationals in evacuating the country.
As the death toll continues to rise, world leaders are set to gather for the UN General Assembly to respond to the escalating violence.
The situation in Lebanon is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the complexities of international conflict.
For Australians caught in the crossfire, the coming days could be decisive.
As the world watches, the hope for a peaceful resolution hang in the balance.
We encourage everyone to stay informed and reach out to loved ones who could be affected by these events.
What are your thoughts about the ongoing strife in the region? Share your insights and concerns with us in the comments below.
The situation in Lebanon took a dire turn, which left locals and foreigners stranded amidst the chaos.
Despite travel warnings from the Australian government, several Australians found themselves in the middle of the crossfire.
Sydney resident Souad Jammal found herself in a state of disbelief.
Jammal, who visited her family in her hometown, Chthoura, was supposed to go home last Wednesday.
Yet, her return flight to Abu Dhabi got cancelled right before her eyes.
Apart from Ms Jammal's flight, over 30 flights from Beirut were scrapped due to the deteriorating security situation.
Lebanon and Israel have been facing each other since early last year, with the situation escalating further recently. Image Credit: Pexels/Charbel Karam
'My kids are in Australia, crying, saying "Mum, you have to come back,"' Ms Jammal lamented.
However, with a ground invasion looming, her options have dwindled.
'I'm scared. I swear to God. Last night, I did not sleep. The day before, I did not sleep as well,' Ms Jammal shared.
The tension between Israel and Hezbollah has been escalating for almost a year, with the past week seeing a significant uptick in hostilities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) started air strikes and rocket attacks across Lebanon, targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed paramilitary group, is also considered a terrorist organisation by Australia.
According to Beirut's official updates, the attacks resulted in approximately 600 deaths and thousands of injuries.
A report from the United Nations (UN) also shared that around 90,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced by the violence.
The Australian government advised about 15,000 Australians in Lebanon to leave, but the window of opportunity is closing fast.
Developments on the ground are alarming, as Hezbollah fired a surface-to-surface missile towards Tel Aviv, which was eventually intercepted.
The IDF's top general, Herzi Halevi, also announced preparations for a ground invasion to 'continue degrading Hezbollah'.
Despite the danger, not all Australians want to leave the country.
Perth native Mary-Ann Flegg, who moved to Beirut a year ago with her daughters, found her calling in the country as a missionary.
She felt a strong connection to the community she served in.
'I don't want to leave them and abandon them at this time. This is when they need us to help,' Ms Flegg shared.
Ms Flegg also shared that she is prioritising the safety of her children and has prepared contingency plans for several scenarios.
'The tipping point would be if there is nowhere for us to feel completely safe,' Ms Flegg added.
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that the Australian government may not be able to assist all nationals in evacuating the country.
As the death toll continues to rise, world leaders are set to gather for the UN General Assembly to respond to the escalating violence.
The situation in Lebanon is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the complexities of international conflict.
For Australians caught in the crossfire, the coming days could be decisive.
As the world watches, the hope for a peaceful resolution hang in the balance.
We encourage everyone to stay informed and reach out to loved ones who could be affected by these events.
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