Wong’s dire warning to Aussies

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has issued an urgent to plea to Australians in Lebanon, warning that if they do not leave immediately they could be trapped there if war breaks out between Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel.

The dire warning comes after Israel took responsibility for a strike that killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Israel’s government said the action was in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack in Israel-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people, most of whom were children.

Senator Wong’s message to Australians in Lebanon was simple: “Now is the time to leave.”

“There is a real risk that the conflict in the region escalates seriously,” she said in a social media post.

“The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.”

She urged Australians to take advantage of commercial still operating out of Beirut.

“Beirut Airport could close completely if the situation worsens,” the minister said.

“And if that happens, the government may not be able to help Australians still in Lebanon to evacuate.”

The UN Security Council met to discuss soaring tensions in the Middle East after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed at his residence in the Iranian capital Tehran early Wednesday morning.

Although Israel has not taken responsibility, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly issued an order for a direct attack on Israel.

Senator Wong said the government was “working with partners in the region to push for restraint and de-escalation”, but made clear that “now is not the time for Australians in the region to wait and see what happens.”

“Now is the time to leave,” she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reinforced the foreign minister’s remarks, calling the situation a “real concern”.

“If there is a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, that will really add to the catastrophe that we’re seeing in the Middle East,” he said told 2Day FM.

“We remain very concerned.”