Latest news with #Gian
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GMA Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Gian Magdangal, Lara Maigue are engaged!
Gian Magdangal and Lara Maigue are engaged! The couple, who began dating in 2021, shared the good news in a joint Instagram post, with Lara flexing her princess-cut diamond ring. "She said yes to a lifetime," Gian wrote. In the comment section, celebrity friends, including Rita Daniela, Carla Abellana, Rocco Nacino, Ria Atayde, and Iya Villania congratulated the happy couple. Gian starred in the musicals "Come Far Away," "Dear Evan Hansen" in Singapore, and "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" under Reportory Philippines. Meanwhile, Lara is a classical opera singer who led the singing of the national anthem during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address in 2023. — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Australians flee Israel borders as evacuations ramp up
Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
7NEWS
19-06-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Government working on ways to get Australians out of Israel and Iran amid deadly conflict
Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. 'We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way,' he said. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. 'We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house,' Gian told AAP. 'It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake.' But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. 'There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be,' she said. But she won't flee. 'Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work,' Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. 'Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid,' she told ABC News. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. 'All-out war' The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of 'all-out war' if the US joins the fray. Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. 'It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program,' she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Israel helping evacuate Australians amid Iran conflict
Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. "We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way," he told reporters on Thursday. Israel's top diplomat in Australia said it was important to emphasise that the conflict with Iran was not about regime change. "It is not for the State of Israel to decide about the nature of the regime in Iran, it is for the Iranian people," he said. "We are focused on the military targets that were set." For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. But she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. "We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way," he told reporters on Thursday. Israel's top diplomat in Australia said it was important to emphasise that the conflict with Iran was not about regime change. "It is not for the State of Israel to decide about the nature of the regime in Iran, it is for the Iranian people," he said. "We are focused on the military targets that were set." For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. But she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. "We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way," he told reporters on Thursday. Israel's top diplomat in Australia said it was important to emphasise that the conflict with Iran was not about regime change. "It is not for the State of Israel to decide about the nature of the regime in Iran, it is for the Iranian people," he said. "We are focused on the military targets that were set." For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. But she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. "We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way," he told reporters on Thursday. Israel's top diplomat in Australia said it was important to emphasise that the conflict with Iran was not about regime change. "It is not for the State of Israel to decide about the nature of the regime in Iran, it is for the Iranian people," he said. "We are focused on the military targets that were set." For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. But she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
First Aussies evacuate Israel but some remain defiant
The first batch of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of the Jewish nation on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. But others have vowed to stay put, despite Iran's threats. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. With only minutes to shelter as sirens signal the arrival of projectiles, sleep has come in dribs and drabs for her family. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the fire from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. Nevertheless, Israelis remained resilient, hardened from many years of wars and conflict, Ms Gian said. "We've been told to stay close to home, and people follow the protocols, but you see people out and about trying to go about their daily life," she said. And she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, some 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. "It is in the interests of the Iranian people and the interests of the people of the region for Iran to work to return to dialogue and diplomacy." Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. "I want to make sure I finish the conference before I leave," he said. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. At least 585 Iranians have been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians according to Washington-based organisation High Rights Activists, while Israel said 24 civilians have been killed. The first batch of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of the Jewish nation on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. But others have vowed to stay put, despite Iran's threats. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. With only minutes to shelter as sirens signal the arrival of projectiles, sleep has come in dribs and drabs for her family. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the fire from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. Nevertheless, Israelis remained resilient, hardened from many years of wars and conflict, Ms Gian said. "We've been told to stay close to home, and people follow the protocols, but you see people out and about trying to go about their daily life," she said. And she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, some 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. "It is in the interests of the Iranian people and the interests of the people of the region for Iran to work to return to dialogue and diplomacy." Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. "I want to make sure I finish the conference before I leave," he said. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. At least 585 Iranians have been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians according to Washington-based organisation High Rights Activists, while Israel said 24 civilians have been killed. The first batch of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of the Jewish nation on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. But others have vowed to stay put, despite Iran's threats. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. With only minutes to shelter as sirens signal the arrival of projectiles, sleep has come in dribs and drabs for her family. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the fire from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. Nevertheless, Israelis remained resilient, hardened from many years of wars and conflict, Ms Gian said. "We've been told to stay close to home, and people follow the protocols, but you see people out and about trying to go about their daily life," she said. And she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, some 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. "It is in the interests of the Iranian people and the interests of the people of the region for Iran to work to return to dialogue and diplomacy." Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. "I want to make sure I finish the conference before I leave," he said. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. At least 585 Iranians have been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians according to Washington-based organisation High Rights Activists, while Israel said 24 civilians have been killed. The first batch of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of the Jewish nation on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. But others have vowed to stay put, despite Iran's threats. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. With only minutes to shelter as sirens signal the arrival of projectiles, sleep has come in dribs and drabs for her family. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake." But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the fire from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. "There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be," she said. Nevertheless, Israelis remained resilient, hardened from many years of wars and conflict, Ms Gian said. "We've been told to stay close to home, and people follow the protocols, but you see people out and about trying to go about their daily life," she said. And she won't flee. "Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work," Ms Gian said. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, some 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. "Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid," she told ABC News on Thursday. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. "It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program," she said. "It is in the interests of the Iranian people and the interests of the people of the region for Iran to work to return to dialogue and diplomacy." Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. "I want to make sure I finish the conference before I leave," he said. He said the mood of Israelis was "resolute", despite the missiles flying overhead. At least 585 Iranians have been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians according to Washington-based organisation High Rights Activists, while Israel said 24 civilians have been killed.
