Defense Minister Benny Gantz Tuesday approved extending the stay of the IDF Home Front Command delegation operating as part of the recovery mission at the disaster site at Surfside, Florida.
The delegation, which is assisting in the search and rescue efforts following the recent building collapse in Surfside, near Miami, will remain on-site for an additional week.
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IDF Home Front Command soldiers at the collapse site in Surfside, Florida
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
This decision was made following requests by local Jewish organizations as well as "updates from the ground about the effectiveness and importance of this delegation," the Ministry of Defense stated Tuesday.
Search and rescue crews have recovered 28 victims from the rubble of the collapsed Champlain Towers South building. 117 people are still unaccounted for and are presumed dead.
The Israeli delegation consists of seven reserve officers from the Home Front Command, all top experts in engineering and social care efforts.
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A Miami-Dade Police helicopter flies over the Champlain Towers South Condo
(Photo: AP)
Gantz stated that Israel “will continue to reach out to any country in need, particularly to our American friends and our Jewish brothers and sisters in the diaspora.”
He extended his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and those injured and missing in the disaster.
He also thanked the members of the delegation “who carry out their mission to save lives and provide aid in such a noble manner.”