Americans fleeing Israel on evacuation flights to Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Americans fleeing the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran are heading back to the U.S. thanks, in part, to Florida officials.

Early Wednesday, a cruise ship transported roughly 1,500 people from Israel to Cyprus. From there, some boarded a plane bound for Tampa.

Carrie Best-Lary, from Broward County, was one of those transported to Cyprus. She had traveled to Israel for a 10-day trip sponsored by the Birthright Israel Foundation, just ahead of her 50th birthday.

Now, instead of reconnecting with her Jewish identity, she's fleeing back to the United States after barrages of Iranian missile strikes targeted Israel, following Israel's missile strikes on Iran.

"We saw explosions … we saw missiles," she said. "We heard sirens … we went to (the) shelter the minute we got that notification."

"It's a very scary time," she continued.

Birthright Israel officials said Gov. Ron DeSantis helped coordinate four wide-body planes to fly all U.S. participants to Tampa. From there, they will be able to continue on to their respective hometowns.

Tampa Jewish Community Relations Council Chair Jonathan Ellis said he's proud of the effort made by Florida's governor, as 1,500 Americans now have a path to escape the conflict and come back home.

"Florida has the resources to make sure that American citizens can get back to the U.S. that were stranded in Israel," he said. "You have to commend him for the actions he's taking."

"Look, Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous friend to the state of Israel," he added. "He has a commitment to, not only the state of Israel, but to the citizens of the state of Florida and to the American citizens."

Countries all over the world, meanwhile, are evacuating their nationals from Israel and Iran by air, land and sea as conflict rages between the bitter rivals.

Days of attacks and reprisals by the two enemies have shuttered airspace across the Middle East, severely disrupting commercial flights and leaving people unable to get in or out of the region easily. Some governments are even using land borders to get their citizens out by road to countries where airports remain open.

Thousands of foreigners have already left since the conflict started last Friday when Israel launched surprise missile strikes on Iran.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.