Australia sends troops to the Middle East as Israel-Hamas crisis escalates: ‘This is a volatile situation’

Australia is sending two additional air force planes to the Middle East as tensions between Israel and Hamas escalate.

Defense Secretary Richard Marles said two more RAAF aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East, bringing the country’s number of deployments to three.

Mr Marles said there was a small command detachment and support crew for all three aircraft.

Defense Force personnel were deployed “as a contingency… this is a volatile situation,” Mr Marles said.

Home Secretary Clare O’Neil said: ‘What we’re trying to do is make sure we’re prepared for any contingencies.

“It will be important to have the resources in the region… to help even more Australians who may be in trouble.”