AUSTRALIA’s acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, revealed that supporting troops have been dispatched and are now on standby then the event that the situation gets worse in the Middle East.
As per reports, two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft had been deployed in addition to the other military aircraft already dispatched in the area.
A C-17 transporter and a KC-30 tanker would join an existing aircraft on standby, in the event Australians across the wider Middle East needed to be evacuated urgently.
However, the defense minister did not reveal how many soldiers were deployed and where they were based in the region.
Dubbed Operation Beech, the initiative serves as a precautionary measure due to the risk of the security situation deteriorating further and is part of government efforts to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in the region.
At least 79 Australian citizens in Gaza have asked the Australian government to help them leave the besieged enclave, but still have no clear way out as the border crossing with Egypt remains largely closed, except for aid.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an additional $15 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza during his recent trip to Washington.
More than 800 Australians have been evacuated from Israel since October 13.
