Necessary Protection for Australian Families during Israel-Iran Conflict

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Australians in Israel have recalled spending days taking shelter as missiles rain down from Iran, while those stranded there face a steep task getting out with the airspace closed.

James Radford was evacuated over the border with the help of his billionaire boss, Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart.

He told 9News he used the stairwell of a hotel to take shelter as sirens sounded, before safely crossing the border in an armoured car.

“Panic and worry were the initial emotions we all felt,” Radford said.

“So we rushed into the stairwell, which are usually the fortified areas of the hotels known as protected rooms.”

Expats have been told the Australian embassy is organising buses from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem into Jordan.

But not all Australians still in Israel have been so lucky.

The bunker her family has taken shelter in. — Emily Gian and her family are staying in an underground bunker as they wait out the conflict. (Nine)

Emily Gian and her family are staying in an underground bunker as they wait out the conflict.

”We are in and out of the bunker,” she explained.

“We’re 20 steps underground in a very well fortified room and we can hear the impacts of whether it’s the missile defence system hitting the rocket or an impact on civilian infrastructure.

“We can hear it as if it’s in our town, sometimes it makes the house shake.”

Australians living in Israel — Emily Gian and her family are staying in an underground bunker as they wait out the conflict. (Nine)

Meanwhile, Brisbane woman MJ told 9News she hasn’t heard from her husband’s Iranian family in two days.

When they were last in contact, the family sent a video from a town west of Tehran.

“I have faith that they’re alive still, I just don’t know what condition they’re in,” she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier confirmed around 1200 Australians are seeking support in Israel and 1500 have registered for assistance in Iran.

The number of Australians needing help is expected to climb, however Wong said there is little the government can do right now for those in Iran with the airspace closed.

The department is working to try to assist more Australians and it’s hoped the bus operation out of Israel will be scaled up.

The Australian government’s latest advice for Iran is do not travel.

“If you’re in Iran, you should depart when it’s safe to do so. The Australian government may not be able to assist with your departure,” a message from Smartraveller reads.

The Australian embassy in Iran remains closed.