As she spends one final likely sleepless night in Israel, Australian disability support worker and photographer Asher Lilley has a message for her government.
The 28-year-old was holidaying in Tel Aviv with her parents and sister when missiles began striking Israel on Saturday in what the armed forces called the "worst day in Israeli history".
By Wednesday morning, Israeli military officials said more than 1000 had been killed in Hamas' multi-pronged surprise attack, while the Palestinian health ministry said more than 830 had died in retaliation attacks on Gaza.
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Lilley knows what her family is going through is nothing compared to the suffering of Israeli and Palestinian civilians but has been left disappointed by the lack of help and communication from her government.
After calling the embassy for help three days ago, the Darwin resident watched in frustration as more and more airlines cancelled flights to Israel and multiple countries organised special repatriation flights for their citizens.
"We have been absolutely terrified wondering what is happening and how we can get out, wondering if Australia is supporting," she told 9News.
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"Then hearing other countries have come to get their nationals out is just so disappointing.
"Even just an email saying, 'We are working on it and here to help you' would have meant the world."
Until Saturday, it had been a "beautiful experience" as Lilley, her mum Tracy, dad Chris and sister Eden travelled around Israel, which welcomed more than 2.6 million tourists last year, with her parents' best friend.
Then they woke up to the sound of sirens in Tel Aviv and went north but were asked to return amid fears of a possible attack by Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has helped Hamas in the past.
Three Hezbollah fighters were killed along the border and six rockets were fired into Israel from southern Lebanon on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEDT), a Lebanese security official said.
Lilley said they were able to hide in a friend's bomb shelter until Tuesday, but had to hide from rockets three times while travelling.
"Hearing the missiles hit right next to us was terrifying. I texted my partner back home in Australia telling him I loved him because I just thought maybe this was it," she said.
"My sister also has autism so this has been extremely distressing for her to deal with.
"We've had to hide now multiple times but not everywhere has a bomb shelter so you just have to huddle under stairs and hope for the best."
Lilley said she tried to move her Emirates flights forward but there were no seats available. Luckily, her original flight is still scheduled to leave on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
For those who aren't so fortunate, the 28-year-old wants the Australian government to discuss repatriation flights with airlines.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said commercial flights out of Israel were still available and encouraged Australians to "pursue those options".
"With developments in Israel and Gaza, the Australian Government is assessing all options for Australians wanting to leave," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We understand the difficulties with limited commercial options. If you want to leave and do have a viable option, we encourage you to pursue that."
A Qantas spokesperson said it was in contact with DFAT and had offered support.
It doesn't fly direct to Israel but said it would refund customers booked with codeshare partners who no longer wished to fly there or waive change fees for their flights.
Australian leaders joined with many western leaders to condemn the "indefensible" conducted by Hamas – listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia and several other countries – which included the killing of at least 260 people at a music festival and 100 or more kidnappings.
Palestinian leaders and some in the Arab world have decried a lack of efforts to address the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, describing Gaza as the "world's largest open-air prison". Amnesty International last year described Israel's treatment of Palestinians as a "cruel system of Apartheid".
- Reported with Associated Press
