Second flight of Floridians evacuated from Israel landed in Tampa
By Helen Acevedo
June 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM EDT
A second flight of Floridians evacuated from Israel landed in Tampa on Friday amid an intensifying conflict in the Middle East between the Jewish state and Iran.
Gov. Ron DeSantis greeted the 160 evacuees at Tampa International Airport this morning. Those on board were taken from Israel to Cyprus by cruise ship and then flown to the U.S.
The State Division of Emergency management has partnered with Grey Bull Rescue, a veteran-led nonprofit, to execute the evacuation flights.
"Evacuation flights are still ongoing as a part of Florida's unprecedented mission to bring our residents home. This operation will continue 24/7 with the safety and well being of Americans and Floridians as our top priority," said Florida’s Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
The state Division of Emergency Management has helped evacuate an estimated 300 people from Israel as a part of this mission.
The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.
Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel’s multitiered air defenses, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.
READ MORE: UM students stuck in Israel amid escalating Iran conflict
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.
Gov. Ron DeSantis greeted the 160 evacuees at Tampa International Airport this morning. Those on board were taken from Israel to Cyprus by cruise ship and then flown to the U.S.
The State Division of Emergency management has partnered with Grey Bull Rescue, a veteran-led nonprofit, to execute the evacuation flights.
"Evacuation flights are still ongoing as a part of Florida's unprecedented mission to bring our residents home. This operation will continue 24/7 with the safety and well being of Americans and Floridians as our top priority," said Florida’s Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
The state Division of Emergency Management has helped evacuate an estimated 300 people from Israel as a part of this mission.
The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.
Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel’s multitiered air defenses, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.
READ MORE: UM students stuck in Israel amid escalating Iran conflict
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.