There have been emotional scenes at Brisbane and Sydney airports as more repatriation flights from Lebanon arrived while war rages in the Middle East. Many say returning home has brought a mixture of relief and anxiety for those left behind.
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00:00Joy and jubilation, safe in the arms of loved ones, the emotions raw and overwhelming.
00:11I'm just very grateful to have her home.
00:14Home after fleeing Lebanon, the danger evident on departure.
00:18Many heard explosions on the tarmac during take-off in Beirut.
00:23Daddy!
00:25The journey for these citizens was long but necessary.
00:29It was getting closer and closer and we just thought it's time to go.
00:33We can hear the bombing and we are so scared, our family is so scared.
00:37We appreciate our government to bring us back home safe.
00:42Two more government evacuation flights touching down in Sydney, another in Brisbane, with around 770 Australians on board.
00:52I think they're relieved to be back home.
00:54Feeling much better, much more relieved.
00:56Are you excited to be home?
00:58Yeah, can't wait to see my mum.
01:00Julie Pritchard hadn't seen her daughter and grandchildren for nearly six years.
01:05Yeah, I just can't wait to see them, give them the biggest hug.
01:09Rima was reunited with her husband who was particularly grateful.
01:14God bless Australia, I'm going to be paying my taxes 100%.
01:19You do pay your taxes!
01:21Of the thousands of Australians still in Lebanon, more than 1,600 have escaped so far.
01:28About 3,500 are registered to leave.
01:31But as tensions rise in the region, the government warns future flights aren't guaranteed.
01:37For those back on home soil, the relief is tinged with trepidation.
01:43For anyone, any family, indiscriminate, whatever their religion or background is, we don't want this war upon anyone.
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