Melbourne: Australia has made the difficult decision to cancel two scheduled repatriation flights for its citizens in Israel and the Palestinian territories due to the increasingly complex and rapidly evolving situation in the region. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) made this announcement on Saturday.

The repatriation flights originally planned for Saturday and Sunday have been postponed. DFAT emphasized the severity of the situation, stating it is "highly challenging and rapidly changing." Given the uncertainties and potential risks, the safety and well-being of Australian citizens remain the top priority.

Australia's authorities are actively engaged in providing support and assistance to its citizens in the affected areas, ensuring they are well-informed and have access to necessary resources. DFAT has assured the affected Australians that they will continue to collaborate closely with them and will communicate updated plans for future repatriation flights.

The first repatriation flight of this series did take off as planned on Friday local time. It successfully transported over 200 Australians and their families to London, offering them a way out of the volatile situation in the Middle East. Australia's government remains committed to facilitating the safe return of its citizens from the region and will adapt its plans as needed to ensure their well-being and security.

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