Some Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft are deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Beech to assist Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals in case the security situation in the region deteriorates further due to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. The Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel and C-130J aircraft were sent to the region in a noncombat role, supporting a whole-of-government contingency planning and assistance delivery approach.
Under Operation Beech, over 800 Australians have been airlifted from Israel since the first Australian government-assisted departure flight in October 2023.
Earlier, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told ABC that while the deployment ensured the government’s readiness to respond to the rising tension, affected civilians who still have commercial flight options are encouraged to depart the region.
According to a CNN report, Israel issued new evacuation orders on Monday to northern and southern Gaza residents as its military responds to Hamas terrorist actions. On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces launched a new ground operation in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya, where Hamas rebuilding efforts were seen.