Australians living in Israel have been enduring intense days of sheltering from missile attacks, exacerbated by the closure of airspace, which has made their exit extremely challenging. One individual, James Radford, managed to escape with assistance from Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart. He described how he initially took refuge in a hotel stairwell during air raid sirens before being evacuated in an armoured vehicle.
Radford shared his feelings of panic and worry during this stressful time, highlighting that hotel stairwells are typically considered fortified areas known as protected rooms. While some Australians have successfully arranged for their evacuation, many remain trapped in dangerous circumstances. The Australian embassy has announced plans to organise bus transport from cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to Jordan for those seeking to leave.
Emily Gian, another Australian on the ground, reported that she and her family have been sheltering in an underground bunker. They are situated 20 steps below ground level in a well-designed room, able to hear the sounds of nearby missile impacts, which sometimes make their house vibrate. This stark account underscores the perilous conditions faced by many in Israel.
In a separate situation, MJ, a Brisbane resident, expressed concern for her husband’s family in Iran, from whom she has not heard in over two days. Previous communication was limited to a video they sent from western Tehran, leaving her anxious about their well-being. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that approximately 1,200 Australians are currently seeking assistance in Israel, with another 1,500 registered for help from Iran.
The number of Australians requiring support is anticipated to rise, and Wong indicated that while they are working to improve the situation for those in Israel, options for assisting Australians in Iran are severely limited at the moment due to the closed airspace. The Australian government is advising against travel to Iran and encouraging Australians currently there to depart safely. They also alerted that the Australian embassy in Iran is closed, which further complicates the potential for assistance.
This evolving crisis highlights the urgency and difficulties faced by Australians both in Israel and Iran as they navigate a tense geopolitical landscape.