TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis wants Floridians in Israel to know that "help is on the way" as the country prepares to ramp up retaliatory action against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
The governor signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at bringing Florida residents home from Israel.
The order allows Florida to "carry out logistical, rescue and evacuation operations to keep its residents safe," according to a news release from DeSantis' office. It also allows the Florida Division of Emergency Management to transport any necessary supplies to Israel.
"Florida is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, including large numbers of dual Israeli-American citizens and Floridians with relatives and businesses in Israel," the executive order reads, in part. Travel disruptions due to the ongoing war have prevented Floridians and other U.S. citizens in Israel from returning home.
DeSantis' order comes as the White House announced that the U.S. will begin operating evacuation flights for Americans to leave Israel as soon as Friday. The U.S. government is arranging for at least four charter flights a day out of Israel, according to people familiar with the planning.
The ongoing war has claimed at least 2,600 lives — including at least 27 Americans — since Hamas launched its attack on Israel last Saturday, according to U.S. officials.
The White House said 14 U.S. citizens in Israel remain unaccounted for and a “handful” of Americans are among the dozens of people that Hamas took hostage.
U.S. officials estimate 160,000-170,000 Americans are in Israel, as residents, tourists or in some other capacity. An estimated 500 to 600 American citizens are in Gaza, including people who have been working as humanitarian workers or visiting relatives.
Florida has a list of resources for residents currently in Israel, including the latest on the travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.