Australian Or Kedem has packed his suitcase for what he hopes will be his fourth and final attempt to leave the Middle East now that missiles have finally stopped hurtling through the sky.
In Israel for this birth of his nephew, conflict broke out a week into his trip when the Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on June 13, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons.
Blasts on apartment buildings near his family’s home in Ramat Gan were terrifying and a world away from his day-to-day life with his wife and two children back in Victoria.
After three unsuccessful evacuation attempts, he hopes to finally make a flight on Thursday as Israel’s airspace reopens and commercial flights start up again.
“It’s not gonna be easy, I have a four day trip until I’m gonna get home, but I will do everything to see my kids again,” Mr Kedem told AAP.
“I’m so excited to be home, just to sit on the airplane.”
It’s a common theme among Australians stuck in Israel during the conflict, buoyed by flights becoming available and pressure easing at land border crossings as the ceasefire sets in.
About 1000 Australians have registered with the government for help to leave Israel, and an additional 3000 have asked for assistance to leave Iran since the conflict erupted.
The war took a turn on the weekend when the US bombed three underground nuclear facilities in Iran, which the Australian government has backed.
Never will Australian lawyer Leon Zwier take for granted going to sleep without being woken up by the sound of sirens or missiles.
“Last night for the first time we had a night without missiles being fired across our city or into the civilian population,” Mr Zwier said from a departure gate Ben Gurion airport south of Tel Aviv.
“It was restful, we all relaxed and that was a common theme with everyone we spoke to.”
Quick dashes to bomb shelters became a nightly reality for him and thousands of others in Israel and Iran since June 13.
What was meant to be a trip for a conference quickly became an unexpected insight into life in a war zone, before he booked the first flight home he could find through Thailand.
He cannot wait to hug his children and grandchildren, reassuring them he is fine and safe.
“Moments like this, you cherish life more than ever, and so it makes you appreciate things more than ever.”
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