Australia’s Foreign Ministry has told 15,000 of its citizens living in Lebanon to leave the country or risk being stranded if the situation worsens.

Israeli air strikes in Lebanon killed at least 72 people on Wednesday, while Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi said a ground assault against Hezbollah remains a possibility.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that citizens should leave now as there’s a risk Beirut airport could close.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had made contingency evacuation plans, including by sea, but didn’t offer details.

“Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve,” he told ABC.