More than 100 commercial airline seats have been secured for Australians trying to leave Lebanon amid dire warnings to evacuate as conflict in the region steps up.

Dozens of Australians left on flights on Monday and Tuesday (local time), while another scheduled flight for Thursday will add to the tally.

It comes as Australians in Lebanon were again urged to take any available option to get out of the country as the security situation deteriorates following an increase in missile strikes across Lebanon and Israel.

Also on Tuesday, Iran launched 200 missiles at Israel – most of which were shot down by its iron dome air defence system – in a widely condemned action that Tel Aviv has vowed to retaliate against.

“Tonight, Iran again attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles. This attack failed. It was thwarted thanks to Israel’s air defence system, which is the most advanced in the world,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said from a meeting with his political security cabinet, in a video released by the Israeli government’s press office.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies.

“We will stand by the rule we established: Whoever attacks us – we will attack him.”

Washington said it also would work with long-time ally Israel to make sure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the attack, which Israel said involved more than 180 ballistic missiles.

Iran said on Wednesday its attack on Israel was over barring further provocation.

“Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X.

Australia condemns Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

This is an extremely dangerous escalation – Australia and the global community have been clear in our calls for de-escalation.

Further hostilities put civilians at risk.

We are monitoring the situation closely and encourage…

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 1, 2024

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “we’re very concerned about Iran’s actions, which is why we condemn them”, as he reiterated calls for a ceasefire and de-escalation of conflict.

“There’s been too much loss of life in that region,” he said.

“Israel, of course, has a right to defend itself. What we have called for consistently is for a de-escalation.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australia should stand with Israel as “an important ally for us” but deflected a question about how far Israel’s right to self defence should extend, saying it was a matter for its government.

Multiple airlines, including Emirates, Qatar, Lufthansa and Ryanair, have suspended flights out of Lebanon.

Others are diverting flight paths from Lebanese airspace due to safety concerns, following Israeli airstrikes near the airport.

Britain has chartered a repatriation flight and Canada has secured hundreds of commercial airline tickets for citizens across multiple days.

Australians in Israel have been told to follow local advice from authorities.

The federal government continues to work on contingencies to evacuate citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families from Lebanon should the situation deteriorate further.

But there are grave warnings that any effort cannot accommodate all of the estimated 15,000 Australians in the country.

“We again reiterate that people should take any opportunity that they can to leave, but the Australian government, of course, will always do our best to look after Australian citizens,” Albanese said.

We’re working to ensure Australians who want to leave Lebanon can continue to, including with partners such as Canada and the UK.

A number of Australians were assisted onto commercial flights on Monday and overnight.

We have secured additional seats for flights on Thursday.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 1, 2024

Iran’s attack came at a tumultuous time in Australia following Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed hundreds in what it said targeted listed terror group Hezbollah.

There were mass protests in Australian capital cities last weekend.

Many marchers decried the federal government’s response as inadequate or “weak” as it failed to use the same language condemning the attacks as it did for those that targeted Israel.

But the focus has been on a handful who waved Hezbollah flags and pictures of its assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Australian Federal Police is investigating under anti-terror laws.

AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said she was “confident we would have matters to put before the court as a result of our investigations” into the Melbourne protests.

Meanwhile, NSW Police have launched a legal bid to stop pro-Palestine rallies and a vigil held ahead of, and on the anniversary of Hamas’ terror attack against Israel.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it would likely stir community tensions while Albanese said any action around the anniversary of last year’s October 7 attacks would be perceived as insensitive and provocative.

“It would not advance any cause. It would cause a great deal of distress,” he said.

Dutton urged Victoria Police to follow their NSW counterparts with a court bid “to stop what would be a grotesque gathering to celebrate the death, the slaughter, of 1200 people of Israel” on the October 7 anniversary.

“That is not an anniversary that should be celebrated,” he said.

Protest organisers say their dozens of previous rallies have been peaceful and vigils will recognise the tens of thousands of people killed in Gaza.

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-with AAP