FL Firefighters To Fill In For Israeli First Responders During War

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Eight Miami Beach firefighters are headed to Israel to fill in for first responders serving in the military during the war with Hamas.

About 1,400 people in Israel have died, mostly civilians, since Hamas militants launched an attack on the country Oct. 7.

Since then, Israeli troops have killed more than 10,000 Palestinians inside Gaza, including more than 4,100 children, the Health Ministry of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Monday. More than 2,300 people are missing and believed to be buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Miami Beach first responders Capt. Adonis Garcia, Capt. David Garcia, Lt. Robert Gibson, Lt. Zvi Hirsh, firefighter Carlos Lang, Chief Juan Mestas, Capt. Javier Rivero and Capt. Douglas Thompson will spend two weeks in Israel, according to a video shared by the Miami Beach Fire Department on Facebook.

They’ll be stationed at firehouses in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Haifa.

Travel expenses, including airfare, are being funded by Temple Beth Sholom and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

“These men are members of our family — and we are so proud of their exceptional bravery and willingness to respond during Israel’s time of need,” MBFD wrote in a Facebook post.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.