“Defence can confirm that all personnel assigned to the Middle East region are safe and accounted for,” the spokesperson told AAP in a statement.

“The Australian Government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East region.”

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, called for the withdrawal of peacekeeping troops from the conflict zone.

“I don’t think it makes much sense to put them in a live fire zone when there is clearly a hot conflict raging between Hezbollah and Israel,” he told Sky News.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called on peacekeepers to leave southern Lebanon, an order refused by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Liberal senator Dave Sharma says it makes no sense to have Australian troops in the conflict zone. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

UNIFIL was tasked with enforcing a UN Security Council resolution aimed at helping the Lebanese government secure its border, facilitate humanitarian access to civilians, and oversee Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

He is also authorized to resist forceful attempts to prevent him from fulfilling his mandate.

Senator Sharma’s comments follow reports that Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of one of its posts in southern Lebanon to force entry and demand that the lights be turned off.

Israel said two tanks backed up a few meters towards the UNIFIL post due to the threat of fire as they worked to evacuate wounded soldiers and that there was no threat to them. peacekeepers.

UNIFIL forces have already been injured by Israeli fire.

UNIFIL’s mandate guarantees its freedom of movement within its area of ​​operations, and any restriction on this constitutes a violation of Resolution 1701. — UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) We have requested an explanation from the IDF regarding these shocking violations.October 13, 2024

Australia has joined international condemnation of any targeting of United Nations personnel.

US President Joe Biden urged the Israeli military to stop shooting at peacekeepers, while Australian officials made representations to the Israeli government in Canberra and Tel Aviv.

“We have made it clear to Israel that any targeting or intimidation of UN personnel and facilities in Lebanon is unacceptable and must stop,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson told AAP.

Hezbollah’s drone attack on Israel, which killed at least four people, was also condemned by Australia.

“We continue to call for a ceasefire and for all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate and respect UN Security Council resolutions,” foreign affairs spokesperson said .

There are fears that the conflict in the Middle East could develop into a wider regional war. (AP Photo)

The Middle East remains on a knife edge, facing fears of a full-blown regional conflict as Israel targets Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza and considers a retaliatory strike against Iran.

The latest Australian government-backed flight has left Lebanon after months of warnings to citizens and their families to leave as the security situation deteriorated.

Repatriation flights have stopped due to lack of demand, with planes returning with empty seats.

A total of 3,170 Australians, permanent residents and family members left Lebanon, with just over 2,550 landing in Australia on repatriation flights. Two more flights arrive in Sydney from Cyprus on Monday and Tuesday.