Australians evacuate Lebanon on flight to Cyrus

The first of two flights carrying hundreds of Australians fleeing Lebanon has landed in Cyprus after the federal government warned them to leave the war-torn country immediately.

The chartered flight departed Beirut carrying 229 people late on Saturday morning, local time (Saturday evening AEST), on their way back to Australia as conflict in the country escalates.

"Another flight is due to depart later today, and there are a further two flights planned for tomorrow," Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted to X, formerly Twitter.

"Now is the time to leave. Please be prepared to go at short notice."

On Saturday morning, the government revealed it had secured seats on flights out of Lebanon for Australians, permanent residents and their immediate families.

"Do not wait, leave immediately," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

There will be access to accommodation on the ground in Cyprus as the travellers await flights back to Australia.

Planning has already been under way with Qantas, which will operate two non-stop Boeing 787 flights from Cyprus to Sydney with capacity for up to 440 passengers.

The first 22-hour flight will depart on Monday evening local, arriving in Sydney on Tuesday, while the second will leave on Wednesday.

Qantas has put the word out for pilots and cabin crew members to volunteer to operate the free flights.

"This is expected to be oversubscribed as it was with the special assistance flights from Tel Aviv in October 2023, when 900 cabin crew expressed their interest for 70 positions," the airline said.

About 4900 registered Australians are in Lebanon. More than 3000 are registered as wanting to leave. It's believed more than 700 persons have already left.

Monday marks one year since militant groups including Hamas - designated a terrorist organisation by the Australian government - crossed the border from Gaza into southern Israel.

They slaughtered more than 1200 people and took another 250 people hostage, according to the Israeli government.

In response, Israel unleashed a bombing campaign and ground invasion on Gaza, killing almost 42,000 people, displacing 1.9 million and leaving another 500,000 to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, local health ministry sources report.

Israel's military campaign has now spread to Lebanon as it hunts down senior figures in Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, which is also designated a terrorist organisation by Australia.

In less than two weeks, Israel's bombs have killed more than 1000 people in Lebanon and left more than one million without homes.

Meanwhile, Fortescue Metals chairman Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has committed more than $18 million to deliver food and address water scarcity and inadequate sanitation in Gaza through his not-for-profit Minderoo Foundation.

The announcement almost doubles the organisation's total contribution to Gaza's humanitarian aid.

"Minderoo Foundation will not sit on its hands while children starve to death," Dr Forrest said.

"We want to see the philanthropic and private sector respond more strongly to the humanitarian needs in Gaza."

About $7 million will be earmarked for the United Nation's World Food Program, another $7 million for World Central Kitchen and $3.6 million for the Palestinian Water Authority, UNICEF and other local partners to help deliver water and sanitation infrastructure.

On Sunday, a candlelight vigil to remember the Israelis killed on October 7, those who died after being taken hostage and those still being held hostage will be held in Sydney at an undisclosed location.

There will also be pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday, which are expected to attract a heavy police presence.

Organisers of the Sydney rally have agreed with NSW Police not to display flags, portraits or symbols of prohibited organisations.