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Fox News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Veteran-led mission evacuates Americans from Israel as Biden's 'weakened' foreign policy blamed for risk
Print Close By Adam Sabes, Julia Bonavita Published June 23, 2025 A veteran-led rescue organization is stepping up efforts to evacuate United States citizens and allies from Israel as tensions continue to hit a boiling point in the region following weeks of airstrikes between Israel and Iran. Project DYNAMO – a nonprofit organization founded by veterans and intelligence professionals – specializes in rescuing Americans and allies from high-risk situations and disaster areas. "We fill the gap [with] the bureaucracy of the government being so big, but at the same time, not necessarily," Mario Duarte, president and CEO of Project DYNAMO, told Fox News Digital. "With the capacity to cover the entire world, and millions and millions of Americans that at any given moment are around the world, there is always a need for someone to come and help our fellow Americans." HUNDREDS OF US CITIZENS EVACUATED IRAN WITH 'NUMEROUS' ISSUES AHEAD OF STRIKE ON NUCLEAR SITES: REPORT The organization was founded in 2021 in response to the U.S. military's Afghanistan withdrawal. Since its initial launch, Project DYNAMO has conducted over 7,000 rescues from areas abroad and domestic natural disaster incidents, according to its website. While Project DYNAMO primarily focuses on physical extraction from an area, it also provides psychological resources for the evacuees they are working to save. As the situation in the Middle East escalated leading up to and immediately following the U.S. military's airstrikes on Iran's three key nuclear bases over the weekend, Americans within the region began frantically trying to evacuate Israel. Approximately 700,000 Americans currently live in Israel, with the vast majority dual nationals, according to estimates. STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS PROVIDED GUIDANCE TO MORE THAN 25,000 PEOPLE IN ISRAEL, WEST BANK AND IRAN In response to the rising tensions following Israel's initial bombing of Iran earlier this month, Project DYNAMO began extracting Americans and American allies from the country – with the organization's 10th bus from Israel to Jordan departing on Sunday. "For a few days, [the has been saying that there is going to be some sort of operation to extract Americans," Duarte said. "But at the same time, they keep saying that Americans should not wait for the government to do something. The situation is risky. People don't want to be in Israel anymore." Individuals are accounted for from the moment they are taken into the care of Project DYNAMO, according to Duarte, who pointed to the most recent bombing of a residential building in Israel occurring over the weekend, forcing the organization to act. The organization's model allows rescuers to evacuate approximately 1,000 individuals per week, according to Duarte. US AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL MIKE HUCKABEE INDICATES US IS WORKING TO OFFER EVACUATION OPTIONS "The danger is there," Duarte told Fox News Digital. "It's clear and present. And the thing is, there is no actual response yet. And that's one of the reasons why Project DYNAMO deployed to the region, because someone had to do it." As of Friday, the U.S. had evacuated 79 staff members and families from the U.S. Embassy in Israel – one day before President Donald Trump ordered the devastating airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The military flight was the second known evacuation in the days leading up to the attack on Iran, with the plane departing Tel Aviv for Sofia, Bulgaria, before the passengers boarded a connecting flight to Washington, according to an internal State Department memo obtained by The Associated Press. The document also indicated that more than 6,400 U.S. citizens living in Israel had submitted documentation asking for information regarding U.S.-charted evacuation flights. An additional 3,265 people, including some individuals who also completed the online form, also called an emergency hotline to request assistance. 1,500 JEWISH AMERICANS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL AS DESANTIS SPONSORS RESCUE FLIGHTS TO TAMPA Between 300 and 500 people per day are estimated to require evacuation assistance from Israel, with the U.S. government weighing the options of using flights or ships to extract Americans from the region. "I think that risk to Americans has increased significantly," Duarte said. "Not because of the current actions of the [Trump] administration. But because in the past several years, the U.S. government – especially under the Biden administration – was weakened by its own position in foreign policy, which allowed other actors to dictate certain situations." To date, Project DYNAMO has evacuated 228 Americans and allies from Israel, including 30 veterans visiting the country for a retreat and several young schoolchildren, since Israel began striking Iran on June 13. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP However, Duarte insists there are thousands more U.S. citizens waiting to be extracted from the region, with the organization having a backlog of requests due to funding limitations. Despite the logistical constraints, Duarte is confident that Project DYNAMO possesses the unique capabilities to rescue at-risk individuals from Israel in a safe, efficient manner. "It's a lot of things that go into this," Duarte said. "But that has to be done. It's an opportunity to show the good American spirit in other parts of the world." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Print Close URL
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Israel-Iran conflict: US groups working to get civilians out of region
The Brief The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated on Friday. Veteran-led groups Project Dynamo and Grey Bull Rescue are deploying teams to evacuate Americans and allies from the escalating conflict zone. Both organizations are seeking donations and urging individuals to contact them if loved ones need rescue from the region. As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate in the Middle East, US ground-based air defense systems are helping to shoot down missiles. READ MORE: Iran retaliates against Israel after attack on nuclear program Meanwhile, outside groups are preparing to get Americans stuck in the region to safety. Mario Duarte, the founder and CEO of Project Dynamo, is working to evacuate civilians stuck in Israel and the region. The veteran-led organization specializes in high-risk global rescue missions. Project Dynamo is deploying multiple teams to assist those in need, including American citizens, US lawful permanent residents and allies of the U.S. in need of evacuation. What they're saying "We are launching different operations right now to make sure that we have our teams, volunteers and assets in place to assist all Americans to get out of harm's way and get back home safely," said Duarte. "we're always hoping that, you know, tensions will de-escalate eventually, but in the meantime, while things are still brewing, we prefer to be in place. What you can do If you know of a loved one who needs to be rescued, or wish to donate, you can go to: Grey Bull Rescue, which is based in Florida, has already reportedly received dozens of requests for help getting people out of the region. The group has conducted 730 rescue missions, including one where the group successfully extracted three girls from Haiti, including one being adopted by a family in North Texas. What they're saying "There's airspace closed in at least four countries as we speak, and there's Americans in every single one of them.," said Bryan Stern, the CEO of Grey Bull Rescue. "There is no way out for them. That's why we're deploying." What you can do If you know of a loved one who needs to be rescued, or wish to donate, you can go to: The Source Information in this article comes from interviews with Grey Bull Rescue and Project Dynamo.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tampa-based non-profit enroute to Middle East to evacuate Americans amidst Iran-Israel conflict
The Brief Project DYNAMO CEO says there are teams in Jordan and Israel already. So far, they've seen an uptick in requests for rescue. The organization was created in 2021. TAMPA - A local veteran non-profit is working to get Americans, including Tampa Bay area residents, out of the Middle East and home safe. Since its creation back in 2021, Project DYNAMO has rescued more than 7,000 Americans from conflict zones and disaster areas across the world. What we know Its teams are made up of former Special Forces and intelligence officers and volunteers from all across the nation. They're currently en route to the region to evacuate Americans as missile strikes and bombings escalate between Iran and Israel. CEO Mario Duarte says there are teams in Jordan and Israel already. RELATED: Iran retaliates against Israel after attack on nuclear program "We can do it via air or land or using ships and boats," he said. "We can use multiple routes to make sure our people get to a safe location and from there we can help them find a way back home." So far, they've seen an uptick in requests for rescue. Duarte says they're stepping up to help because there's always a gap in response capabilities. "There are millions of Americans at any given time around the world and the U.S. government is not always capable to respond to all of them. That's why Project DYNAMO exists," said Duarte. The backstory After Hamas invaded and attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the donor-funded organization and Gov. Ron DeSantis helped charter evacuation flights for hundreds of Americans out of Israel. In this latest conflict, Duarte says, ideally, they can have evacuees safely back in the US within 72 hours. "Seeing a mother and father embrace their child or grandpa holding their grandchildren. That's why we do it. To make sure American families are back together, and we'll keep doing it so long as we're needed," said Duarte. American citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and allies of the U.S. in need of evacuation are urgently requested to register by clicking here. The Source FOX 13's Carla Bayron gathered the information for this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
