Blake Jory grew up in Noosa. Last year on a European holiday, he fell in love with an Israeli woman. Now he's experienced war firsthand and his partner is soon off to the front line.
When Hamas attacked Israel, Mr Jory was in Tel Aviv with his girlfriend and was forced to seek shelter. To him, it was a surreal experience."Then hearing the explosions overhead, the rockets being intercepted in the sky above, it's just, it was really horrifying."Mr Jory's Israeli girlfriend Michal said that while it was second nature to her, Mr Jory was lost when warning sirens went off to signal the attack.
"It's been a difficult decision, I think for both of us. But my partner has said it's best to leave at this time because things are unprecedented and so unsure," he said.Twenty-seven-year-old Michal is a reservist with the Israeli Defence Force. It means she is expecting a call up to duty imminently."I want to have a chance to defend my country and to be part of all this; being here at home watching the news, it can drive you crazy.
Overnight, Australia airlifted 194 people from Tel Aviv to Dubai, including 75 Australians, their families and citizens from partner countries.Thousands of patients will be put at risk as reserves of fuel across Gaza hospitals are expected to last 24 more hours.DFAT says the situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing and it is working to ensure Australians who want to leave can do so as soon as possible.
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