News Summary
Three students from the University of Central Florida safely returned home after a harrowing evacuation from Israel due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Their initial participation in a Birthright program turned into a dangerous situation as they faced rocket attacks and airstrikes. The students, relocated to a hotel in Tel Aviv, experienced tense conditions before ultimately escaping via a cruise to Cyprus and commercial flights back to Florida. Their experiences highlight the risks faced by Americans abroad amid geopolitical turmoil.
Orlando, FL – Three students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) returned home safely after a dangerous evacuation from Israel due to escalating violence stemming from a conflict between Israel and Iran. The students, initially participating in a Birthright program that included work internships and educational trips, faced life-threatening circumstances as tensions in the region heightened.
The situation intensified on June 13 when one student, Elliott Green, received a 90-second warning from a siren notifying him to seek shelter outside his dorm. This marked the outset of a 12-day war marked by widespread rocket attacks and airstrikes. Following the alarming alert, Green, along with two fellow UCF students, opted to extend their stay to join the Birthright Israel’s Onward program, which proved to be a critical decision as circumstances rapidly deteriorated.
After the evacuation warning, the students were promptly relocated to a hotel in Tel Aviv that served as a temporary shelter for about 500 Onward participants. Conditions in the shelters were reported as tense with students hearing explosions from Iranian missile strikes and the sounds of Israel’s defense systems responding to the barrage of attacks. During the conflict, 34 individuals sustained injuries from the Iranian rocket assaults in the Tel Aviv area.
Brandon Imar, another UCF student, recounted his experience in Jerusalem during the wailing sirens. He described the urgency of descending seven flights of stairs to a heavily fortified shelter crowded with approximately 50 other residents. The fear and anxiety triggered by the situation underscored the harrowing realities faced by students and residents alike amid the chaos of conflict.
UCF’s Hillel organization played a pivotal role in coordinating the students’ safe relocation and their eventual return to Florida. After several moves, including a bus trip to Eilat followed by a journey to Ashdod, the students boarded a cruise to Cyprus on June 20 to escape the escalating violence and uncertainty. Despite initial plans for chartered flights, the arrangements shifted, and the students returned home via commercial flights that included layovers in Paris and New York City before landing in Fort Lauderdale.
Upon returning home, Elliott Green expressed his desire to return to Israel to complete his internship and potentially relocate there in the future, inspired by the resilience displayed by the Israeli people during the conflict. Additionally, another group of students from the University of Miami experienced a similar evacuation due to the unfolding violence, highlighting the widespread impact of the situation on American students abroad.
Ariella Green, a student from UM, noted the emotional effects of the experience, revealing that despite her relief at returning home, a part of her heart remains connected to Israel. The evacuation process, characterized by hurried retreats to bomb shelters, illustrated the frightening reality of living amidst ongoing conflict.
UCF officials confirmed that no further details regarding the identities of the students or the status of other U.S. citizens who may still be in the region were released. As the situation continues to unfold, the experiences shared by these students underscore the inherent risks and challenges faced by individuals traveling in volatile regions.
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- Orlando Sentinel: UCF Students in Israel
- Fox 35 Orlando: UCF Students Safely Return Home
- WESH: UCF Students’ Return from Israel
- CBS News: UM Students Escape from Israel
- Wikipedia: Israel
