'It is hard': Relief mixes with grief as Lebanon repatriation flight lands
A Qatar Airways plane carrying more Australians has landed in Sydney overnight from Lebanon, the latest in a series of repatriation flights out of the war-torn country.
Returning passengers are now awaiting flights to their home states, after heartfelt reunions for those who are staying in Sydney.
"I feel relief but to be honest, it's so hard leaving beloved ones behind," one woman said.
READ MORE: Israel promises 'lethal' and 'surprising' attack on Iran
More families and loved ones have been reunited after a repatriation flight from Lebanon landed in Sydney overnight. 9News
"It is very hard. I'm very, very emotional."
One man had an emotional reunion with his younger sister.
"I'm happy, you know. I'm her oldest brother. As you can see - look, she's crying herself," he said.
READ MORE: Mother's 'sleepless nights' waiting for daughter to return to Australia from Lebanon
The Qatar Airways flight is the latest to relocate Australians and their families in Lebanon to safety. 9News
"Qatar brought us back here and they put me in first class," another woman said.
"Thank you, Mr Albanese."
Qantas has organised another repatriation flight, which will depart on Friday morning assuming the security situation does not change.
READ MORE: How police found out husband was allegedly poisoning his wife
Israeli attacks in Lebanon continue. AP Photo/Hussein Malla
The government has repeatedly urged Australians in Lebanon to take the next flight available out of the country as Israel continues its incursion.
It is now estimated about a quarter of Lebanese territory is under Israeli military control.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden have spoken on the phone for the first time since August, spending nearly an hour in discussion.
Israel has overnight threatened Iran again with reprisal for Iran's recent rocket attack, with Netanyahu saying their response will be "deadly" and "surprising".
Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza continue as well, where the military says it is targeting Hamas.
But UN representatives say they are running out of ways to describe what has become a wasteland, where 51,000 children have been separated from their parents.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
Unpopular policies could be what’s needed to stop ‘blunt’ rate rises
Dan Anstey to co-host Weekend Today, join Today team as weather presenter
Warning months left for inflation battle ahead of forecast rates rise
A $130 million change was meant to hit your supermarket shelves. Then the government backflipped
