More than 200 Australians fleeing Israel have landed safely in Sydney, the first of two government-supported repatriation flights to arrive over the next two days.
Qatar Airlines flight QR7424 arrived at Sydney International Airport from Dubai at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, with 222 onboard. Most left Tel Aviv on a Qantas flight out of the war zone on Sunday.
The travellers, most of whom had been living in Israel for several years, were greeted by dozens of friends and family awaiting their return.
Yuval Rabinowiz did not make it 30 seconds out of the arrivals gate at Sydney International Airport before his brother, Daniel Rabinowiz, leapt on his back and hugged him.
“I can’t wait to be with my family, spend time with them,” Yuval said. “There’s a lot of nerves back in the Middle East, so it’s good to be here.”
Seeing the situation deteriorate in Israel, Daniel had booked a Qantas flight for his brother for next week. But the airline cancelled the flight soon after.
“We couldn’t get him out,” Daniel said. “He was really, really worried.”
“Thanks to the Australian government for organising this … Having Australia book a flight for him, and doing it for all the Australian citizens there is really amazing.”
Grandparents Dina and Shai Tahlei spent the day excited for two of their three Israeli-Australian grandchildren to arrive from Haifa, northern Israel.
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