Dozens of Palestinians arrive at Sydney Airport after fleeing Gaza
There have been emotional reunions here in Australia after dozens of Palestinians fleeing the fighting arrived at Sydney airport where they were were welcomed by overjoyed relatives.
Transcript
00:00 Overpowered by emotion, Mahat Arazi breaches the arrivals line at Sydney airport.
00:07 Her 86-year-old mother, two sisters and six-year-old nephew have been trapped in the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza for over 40 days.
00:17 We're so exhausted. I don't know if I'm going to be okay or not.
00:21 Nearly 20 were killed in the church where the family took refuge.
00:25 Genocide. This is genocide. They're repeating 1948 Nakba. It's forced expulsion.
00:33 I was brave. I plugged my ear so I don't hear the sounds of bombs.
00:38 Their journey to Australia was long and dangerous as they first had to escape north Gaza.
00:44 I had to put my wheelchaired mother on a carriage pulled by a donkey with our bags. I hugged them all with bullets flying over our heads.
00:52 Their families are overjoyed they've made it to Australia.
00:56 It's a dream. Like we were living in a nightmare and now we just wake up on this nightmare.
01:02 I had counted them dead. Thank God. Thank God.
01:07 Thank you, Australia.
01:09 Emotional family reunions like this one will be happening across Australian airports as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza start arriving over the coming few weeks.
01:18 Many of them are getting here with little more than the clothes on their back.
01:22 The new visas granted to 860 Palestinians are valid for up to 12 months but they can't work and have no guaranteed pathway to a longer term settlement.
01:32 But the community is grateful and hoping more of their loved ones can get out.
01:37 Altogether 12 people. That's my family. I hope all of them come here and everyone gets their families here safely.
01:46 I thank Australia, our kind mother.
01:48 A bittersweet moment. Happiness for those who are now safe. Fear for those still left behind.
01:54 behind.
01:54 [BLANK_AUDIO]