A South Australian family that became caught in war-torn Gaza has safely returned home in Adelaide after escaping the region earlier this week.
The family of four were met by loved ones when their flight from Doha arrived at Adelaide Airport late on Saturday afternoon.
They were visiting family in Gaza for the first time in 12 years when Hamas launched its war on Israel on October 7.
The father, who wishes to stay unknown, previously told them spent time sheltering and sleeping at a hospital waiting for borders to open, after aircraft raids destroyed his relative’s home.
Upon their arrival in Adelaide on Saturday, the guy praised Australian authorities for their assistance in the repatriation process.
“We want as a family to thank Minister Penny Wong and her team of diplomats for their relentless efforts to organise our exit through Rafah border,” he said.
“We’d want to thank all those who pushed for us over the past few weeks, our friends, neighbours, community figures … and indeed every Australian who has felt our agony and wished to see a joyful ending to our experience.
“To all these people we say thank you so much for your support and love.”
Earlier this week, the man, his wife and his two children aged seven and 10 were among a group of Australians and other foreign people who were able to evacuate Gaza as the Rafah border gate opened to civilians for the first time.
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Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham said the repatriation of the Adelaide family was a “enormous relief”.
“The fact there has been a small number of international citizens able to cross the Rafah border crossing is very, very welcome and a big relief to them I’m sure and all of their loved ones,” he said.
Mr Birmingham said it was imperative that efforts continued to help any remaining Australians stuck in Gaza cross the border.
The Australian government has said it is continuing to engage with the 65 Australians who are still in Gaza and is advising them to go towards the Rafah crossing.
