TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Americans caught in the crossfire are heading back to the U.S. thanks, in part, to Florida officials.

Early Wednesday, a cruise ship took 1,500 people from Israel to Cyprus.

From there, they boarded a plane bound for Tampa.

Carrie Best Lary is from Broward County.

Just ahead of her 50th birthday, Lary planned a 10-day trip to Israel, sponsored by the Birthright Israel Foundation.

Now, instead of reconnecting with her Jewish identity, she’s fleeing back to the United States.

Lary and about 1,500 others arrived in Cyprus Wednesday after escaping barrages of Iranian missiles.

“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.”

News Channel 8 On Your Side reached out to the Florida Department of Emergency Management and is awaiting a response on details and timing.