Australians stranded in Israel will be able to take repatriation flights home as the death toll rises from a devastating terror attack.
An estimated 10,000 Australian residents and tourists were believed to be in Israel when the Islamist militant group Hamas launched a surprise assault.
Over subsequent days, many airlines cancelled or suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the government will begin flying home citizens from Friday.
"My government will begin the assisted departure of Australians who want to leave Israel," he told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"We are assessing all options to get Australians home as soon as possible who wish to travel back here."
Mr Albanese said there would be two initial flights from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to London, with additional options to come.
Australians who want to make use of those assisted departure flights must register with the federal government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre through their hotline.
Mr Albanese thanked Qantas for making their facilities available for those flights and the efforts of Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Transport Minister Catherine King.
However, the number of Australians in the area presents an issue for repatriation efforts.
"There are so many Australians in the area that it's not completely clear. How many are there, let alone how many are unaccounted for," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese also paid tribute to Australian grandmother Galit Carbone, who was found dead at her home kilometres from the Gaza Strip after a suspected Hamas attack.
"Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured in these attacks and all others affected," he said.
"Australia will continue to do what we can to act appropriately to protect and provide support to Australian citizens."
More than 1200 people in Israel have been killed following the Hamas attack.
Israel's retaliatory bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 900 people, including 140 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared "we are at war", and his government imposed a total blockade that will stop food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity entering Gaza.
Consular Emergency Centre (from overseas) +61 2 6261 3305
Consular Emergency Centre (within Australia) 1300 555 135
