In a significant development, Australia has commenced the evacuation of its nationals from Lebanon, utilizing Cyprus as a transit point. This operation marks the first large-scale effort to extract citizens from the region amidst intensifying hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
On October 5, 2024, a commercial aircraft chartered by the Australian government transported 229 individuals to Larnaca, Cyprus. The flight, covering a distance of approximately 264 km, took about 40 minutes. A second flight is scheduled for later in the day, with the possibility of additional evacuations based on demand.
Upon arrival at Larnaca International Airport, Cyprus's largest airport, evacuees of various ages were escorted to waiting coaches after brief processing. Fiona McKergow, the Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus, observed, "They are exhausted, exceptionally happy to be here but heartbroken because they left family behind."
This evacuation comes in the context of Israel's escalated attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon over the past year. The conflict has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks, with Israel conducting airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon. This escalation runs parallel to Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.
Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, has become a crucial hub for evacuations from Lebanon. In the past week alone, it has assisted China, Greece, Portugal, and Slovakia in their evacuation efforts. The United Kingdom and the United States have also positioned personnel in Cyprus to support potential military evacuations.
"Never, ever. I was traumatised, my kids were traumatised. Its not a safe country, I wont be back. I feel very sad leaving my country but I'm very happy to start a new life in Sydney. Life goes on. I wish the best for everyone."
This is not the first time Cyprus has played a pivotal role in regional evacuations. In 2006, during the last major escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the island facilitated the evacuation of nearly 60,000 people from Lebanon. That conflict, known as the 2006 Lebanon War, lasted 34 days and resulted in thousands of casualties.
Australia, which established diplomatic relations with Cyprus in 1965, has a significant Lebanese diaspora community. The country has been involved in several international evacuation operations in recent decades, leveraging its membership in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
Lebanon has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including a severe economic crisis since 2019 and a devastating port explosion in Beirut in 2020. The country's complex power-sharing system, based on religious communities, has contributed to political instability since its independence in 1943.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community remains vigilant. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), operating since 1978, continues its peacekeeping efforts. Meanwhile, countries like Australia are prioritizing the safety of their citizens, demonstrating the global implications of this localized conflict.