Australia cancels repatriation flights from Israel due to 'highly challenging' situation

Australia cancels repatriation flights

SYDNEY, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Australia has cancelled two planned flights to repatriate citizens from Israel and the Palestinian territories due to the "highly challenging" situation, the foreign affairs department said on Saturday.

Repatriation flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will not depart as planned amid a "highly challenging and rapidly changing" situation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said in a statement on social media.

Australia continues to work with citizens in the area to help them return home and will communicate about future flights, DFAT added.

The first in the planned series of repatriation flights left on Friday local time, with over 200 Australians and their families arriving safely in London, according to SBS News.