Israel-Hamas war: Anthony Albanese confirms 19 Australians registered in blockaded Gaza

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has announced three repatriation flights in conjunction with Qantas to help some of the more than 10,000 Australians in Israel, said the government was looking to help the Australians registered to be in Gaza out of the conflict zone.

Israel declared war after Hamas – recognised by Australia as a terrorist organisation – launched a surprise operative on the weekend, murdering innocent Israelis in their homes and at music festivals, and taking about 100 people hostage.

Thousands of Israeli and Palestinian civilians have been killed.

The Palestinian territory has also been completely cut off after Israel announced it would not supply food, electricity, or medical supplies unless Hamas releases the hostages; with the Egyptian border shut.

The United Nations has called the situation in the Gaza Strip “dire” and warned of the “devastating” impacts.

Mr Albanese said DFAT was “working around the clock to ensure that Australians are kept safe” wherever they are.

“There are some 19 people who’ve registered to try to leave Gaza,” Mr Albanese told 9 News.

“We’re speaking with the Egyptian government as well about how we can get those people out of that area into safety as well.

“This is a complex exercise, but Australia is doing what it can.”

An Adelaide family who are in Gaza visiting family has told The Daily Telegraph how fearful they are for their life.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said she had not personally had any contact with the Australians in Gaza but officials had.

“The situation in Gaza is extremely difficult. We are engaging with Egypt, as is the United States, about seeking to establish humanitarian corridors, but obviously the situation on the ground is extremely difficult.”

The first repatriation flight for Australians in Israel will occur on Friday, with 200 people on board.

“Hundreds” of people have registered for the next two repatriation flights, with the government working with airlines to get them all to safety.

Qantas’ repatriation flight will take people who wish to leave Israel to London, with the government and Qantas working hard to figure out what comes after that.

“When you have a war zone, the first task is to get people to safety,” Mr Albanese said.

He said the government was “willing to accept everyone’s offer” after Qatar Airways and partner Virgin offered assistance.

Senator Wong urged any Australians who wish to leave “to not delay”.

“You can register with us and we will seek to make contact with all who are registered and wish to leave aboard available flights,” she said.

It comes as tensions flare back home after a pro-Palestine rally earlier this week outside the Sydney Opera House descended into anti-Semitism.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has doubled down on his calls for visa holders caught up in the event to be deported.

ASIO boss Mike Burgess issued a rare public message on Thursday warning against inflaming tensions, saying “words matter”.

Amid suggestions Mr Burgess made the rare intervention because of Mr Dutton’s calls for deportation, Mr Dutton said he had spoken to the ASIO boss who was “understandably concerned” about some of the scenes playing out in Australia.

“If people are saying that they’re going to ‘gas the Jews’ or ‘eff the Jews’, that sort of conduct doesn’t have any place in our country,” he told Channel 9.

“It’s been condemned absolutely and rightly, that does incite violence.”

Mr Dutton told Sky News it was “disturbing” and “grotesque” that anyone would support the acts of a listed terrorist organisation.

Mr Albanese said if Mr Dutton had “any evidence that any of these people were temporary visa holders, he should go to authorities”.

He said whether protesters should be charged was a matter for NSW Police.

“When people break the law, police should take action,” he told Channel 7.

Senator Wong said Mr Burgess’ warning should come as a reminder that Australians should be “brought together, not to divide them”.

“This is not a time for certain politicians to be seeking to play into the fear and division in the community. It is time for all of us to say we stand against all hatred, all prejudice,” she said.

“It is a time for us to come together. We know this is distressing for the Jewish community. We know there are many in Australia who have very strong views about Palestinian aspiration and I would say to this, one of the great tragedies, apart from the horrific nature of Hamas’s activities, is they have pushed further away the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”