Penny Wong renews plea to Australians in Lebanon, warns of ‘regional escalation’
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has renewed her plea to Australians in Lebanon to leave the country after a second spate of explosions on Wednesday (local time) killed nearly two dozen people and injured hundreds more.
The attacks, which were carried out using walkie-talkies, are broadly seen as targeting fighters of Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant group that has been engaged in cross-border fighting with the Israeli military since the start of the Israel-Hamas War.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation,” Senator Wong told reporters on Thursday.
“I would also say to Australians in Lebanon this reflects the concern we’ve had for some time about the potential for regional escalation.
“You would have heard me say if you are in Lebanon, leave now.
“We are concerned about wider escalation, and we would continue to urge all parties to avert a regional escalation.”
Wednesday’s blasts killed 20 people and injured more than 450, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
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Meanwhile, the death toll from Tuesday’s explosions rose to 12, with nearly 3000 injured, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon.
Israel has not commented on the either attacks directly, but Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday (local time) his country was “opening a new phase in the war”.
“It requires courage, determination and perseverance from us,” Mr Gallant said.
Israel has moved more troops toward its border with Lebanon.
More to come.
Originally published as Penny Wong renews plea to Australians in Lebanon, warns of ‘regional escalation’
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