Florida rescue flights have returned 300 Americans from Israel, FDEM says

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during an unusually early Friday morning news conference that a second flight carrying Floridians evacuating Israel had landed at Tampa International Airport.

Florida began the rescues this week after Israel and Iran fell into conflict, exchanging missiles and killing hundreds.

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Florida did the same in terms of the airlift.

“Given what’s happening over there, given that you have a barrage of missiles being launched by a very hostile regime into Israel, given that the airport’s totally shutdown, given that the neighboring areas aren’t exactly easy to navigate, this was probably the most challenging and logistically difficult mission that the Florida Department (sic) of Emergency Management has done — certainly in my time, and I don’t think there’s been anything like it,” DeSantis said during the 5:30 a.m. press conference at the airport.

According to DeSantis, Florida has helped “effectuate” more than 1,500 people’s exit from Israel.

Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Division of Emergency Management, said the Friday morning flight from Cyprus had about 160 people on board, bringing the total to 300 flown out and more than 1,100 evacuated by ferry.

The operation is also facilitated by Grey Bull Rescues, a Tampa foundation focused on rescuing Americans from conflict zones, and the Florida Department of Transportation.

“Florida stands with its residents. In peace and in crisis, we will always rise to the challenge. This is not just a rescue mission, it is a reflection of Florida’s values of safety, courage, and resilience,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said his staff has been working around the clock on rescues and that more people will be rescued.

Also overseas facilitating rescues is state Sen. Jay Collins, a retired Army Green Beret whom the governor described as “almost like an action figure.”

‘Florida-focused’

DeSantis said it is a “Florida-focused mission” but other Americans won’t be turned away. Many of the people rescued were students and people participating in the Israel birthright program, he said.

“I think people should be proud that you have a state that when they see a problem, when they see a challenging mission, that we don’t shy away from it and pass the buck, we step up and we lead and we get the job done,” DeSantis said.

Josh Hammer, an editor for Newsweek, joined DeSantis and Guthrie after returning from Israel.

Hammer said he was in Israel for a wedding, flying there a week and a half ago.

Hammer said he decided to leave Israel to protect his six-month-old daughter from missiles and reached out to Collins after the senator posted on social media that he was participating in rescues.

“The whole week has just been a total blur. I feel like I’m not even here physically. Thank God that the Jewish sabbath starts tonight, because we really desperately need that rest and that sleep,” Hammer said alongside the governor at the early morning news conference.