Political leaders continue to urge Australian citizens to leave Lebanon as it comes under attack, while evacuation flights depart with empty seats.

A flight that left Lebanon on Thursday (local time) with 80 seats allocated for Australians had just 41 people take up the offer.

There are a further 500 seats available on a flight that will leave Lebanon on Saturday – but only 238 Australians have so far registered to be on board.

Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts said while Australians should get out of Lebanon on the evacuation flights, he admitted the decision to leave would not be easy for many.

“People have entrenched lives in that community, they live there, they have elderly family, they have businesses, they have properties, so it’s understandable,” he told ABC TV on Friday.

“This is a heart-wrenching decision to leave, but our advice is don’t think twice about it.”

Last night 41 Australians were assisted to depart Lebanon.

Thank you to our Canadian partners for their support with this flight, @melaniejoly.

Grateful for the work of the DFAT team in Beirut helping to facilitate Australian passengers onto the flight. pic.twitter.com/7M3fa7Xqvw

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 3, 2024

Israel has intensified military action against Lebanon, bombing southern parts of the nation and its capital Beirut, which has killed hundreds of people.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also stressed Australians in Lebanon should leave at the first opportunity.

“If people are waiting for a RAAF flight, that is going to get more and more difficult. So I would just say that they should heed the advice of the Prime Minister: Book that commercial flight now and get out of harm’s way,” he said in Brisbane.

“There are commercial flights still available now as we pointed out before; there are still seats that are available. And people should take that up and leave straight away.”

It comes as Israel has also threatened retaliation against Iran after it launched a missile strike.

Watts said Israel had the right to self defence but pleaded for a de-escalation of tension in the region.

“We need to break this cycle of violence that we’re seeing in the region. It’s not in anyone’s interest in the region to see a regional conflict, and that’s really what we are on the brink of at the moment,” he said.

Dutton has also called for Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, to be expelled, following reports he praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “remarkable leader”.

The Hezbollah leader was killed in Lebanon by Israeli air strikes.

“The comments from the Iranian ambassador are completely and utterly at odds with what is in our country’s best interests,” Dutton said.,

“The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister should show the strength of character and expel him from our country.”

 

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A post shared by Palestine Action Group Sydney (@palestineactiongroup)

As a deal was struck to allow a protest to go ahead in Sydney on Sunday, ahead of the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks by Hamas, police forces across Australia issued a joint statement calling for marchers to be peaceful.

“Police are lock-step in keeping Australians safe, and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community leaders and leaders of faith to ensure Australian laws are understood,” the statement said.

“Police are planning and preparing for upcoming protests in some states and territories.”

Other marches are planned for other capital cities on Sunday, including Melbourne and Adelaide.

A vigil will also be held in Sydney on Monday, a plan that NSW Premier Chris Minns has criticised.

“I remain of the view that it is hugely insensitive, at best, to hold a planned vigil or rally on that day, October 7. The truth of the matter is that it could inflame tensions in an already stretched and volatile situation in Sydney, not just Sydney but right around the world,” he said.

Minns said Sunday’s protest was “not authorised”. Police and protesters agreed in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday that the march could go ahead with alterations.

NSW Police said on Friday that the rally’s route and location and changed.

“Protest organisers have agreed that no flags, portraits or symbols connected to a prohibited terrorist organisation will be displayed,” they said.

“[NSW Police] will work with organisers to conduct a high visibility policing operation on Sunday to ensure the safety of the community. Police will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.”

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the protests should not be confrontational.

“Most Australians don’t want to see these arguments from overseas coming to these shores. They certainly expect it to be peaceful,” he told Nine’s Today program.

“I’ll just say to any protesters, if you think somehow you’re convincing or changing anyone’s mind, think again.”

-with AAP