RAAF flight lands in Cyprus as part of Australian evacuation plan for Lebanon

·

A Royal Australian Air Force flight has landed on Cyprus as part of the Australian government’s contingency plan to evacuate citizens from Lebanon amid the current war with Israel.

The C-130 Hercules aircraft landed on the island a few hours ago after travelling from Glasgow in Scotland.

The Hercules is designed for troop and medivac transport, and can land on unprepared runways.

At this stage, the advice for Australians in Lebanon has been to get out on commercial flights that are available, and a crisis centre has been set up in Canberra by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This contingency plan comes after tensions flared in the Middle East this week when Israel approved a ground invasion of Lebanon. In response, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles targeting Israel, marking a significant escalation following the deaths of key leaders from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Heart in Cyprus, home in Australia: Kay Pavlou unveils new documentary on Cypriot migrants

The director and producer Kay Pavlou is set to premiere her latest one-hour documentary called Two Homelands.

Anthony Koutoufides considers running for Melbourne federal seat

Former AFL star Anthony Koutoufides is reportedly considering a bid for the federal seat of Melbourne, currently held by Adam Bandt.

Sydney driver Zisi Kokotatsios yet to enter pleas over fatal crash that killed Mitch East

More than a year after the fatal crash that killed 28-year-old lawyer Mitch East, Sydney man Zisi Kokotatsios, 65, has yet to enter pleas.