SYDNEY: Australia took significant steps on Wednesday by deploying additional military assets to the Middle East, including two military aircraft and a “substantial number” of defence personnel. This action is in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hamas group, with the primary aim of providing support and assistance to Australian citizens in the region in the event of further escalations.
The recent conflict, sparked by a deadly cross-border attack orchestrated by Hamas on October 7, has been deeply unsettling. Israel has reported a tragic loss of more than 1,400 lives, while the Palestinian health ministry stated that over 5,791 Palestinians, including 2,360 children, have fallen victim to subsequent Israeli bombardments.
Australia’s contribution includes a Boeing C-17 aircraft and an air refueling plane equipped with passenger-carrying capabilities, bringing the total number of deployed aircraft to three. While specific details, including the exact number of personnel and deployment locations, are withheld for security considerations, it has been confirmed that these personnel will not be stationed within Israel.
Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the deployment involves a “significant number” of personnel, primarily tasked with supporting the deployed aircraft and preparing for potential missions. It is important to note that these measures are part of a contingency plan, reflecting the need to safeguard Australian populations amidst the ongoing volatility in the Middle East.
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In addition to the military response, the Australian government has been actively engaged in repatriation efforts for citizens stranded in Israel. There are ongoing efforts to rescue 79 Australians from the besieged Gaza Strip and 51 from the West Bank. For those residing in Gaza, Mr. Marles recommended moving toward the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, as it provides a passage that does not lead to Israel.
Furthermore, Australians in Lebanon who intend to leave the country are strongly encouraged to explore all available options, especially following deadly clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
In a separate development, Australia unveiled a new military aid package amounting to A$20 million (S$17.46 million) for Ukraine. This commitment brings Australia’s total aid to A$910 million, a substantial contribution since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
