Australian Mother Reunited with Children After Winning US Temporary Custody

Australian mother Sally Faulkner has been reunited with her two children nearly a decade after they were taken by their father, Ali Elamine, during a holiday in Lebanon. Faulkner was detained in Lebanon in 2016 along with a 60 Minutes crew following a failed attempt to recover the children, leading to international attention. After Elamine fled with the children to Georgia, USA, during the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Faulkner filed a temporary protection order accusing him of family violence and kidnapping, although the order was later dismissed due to lack of evidence. She secured temporary custody in a US court in January 2025, allowing her to participate in a family reunification program without Elamine's involvement. Faulkner returned to Queensland with her children following the court ruling, marking an end to a long and complex custody battle. The case highlights ongoing issues related to international custody disputes and family violence allegations.