Tensions rise as Australia evacuates diplomats' families from Israel

Jerusalem (ANTARA) - The Australian government announced on Wednesday (25/2) that it had ordered the evacuation of all family members of its officials stationed in Israel, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

The advisory, issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned of the risk of armed conflict, civil unrest, and terrorism, and urged Australians to reconsider travel to Israel and encouraged those already there to leave while commercial options remain available, citing potential flight cancellations and airspace closures as reasons.

The move follows a similar decision by the United States, which evacuated non-essential personnel from its embassy in Lebanon earlier this week. Lebanese media reported that dozens of US embassy staff had left Beirut on Monday (23/2).

The evacuation comes as Tehran and Washington are scheduled to hold a third round of indirect nuclear talks in Switzerland on Thursday (26/2), in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries in the region.