Vigils, rallies mark Florida response to attacks in Israel. What we know

The death toll is rising steadily Monday as the Israeli military continues its efforts to hunt down militants three days after the surprise attacks by Hamas Saturday.

Across the United States, there have been signs of solidarity with Israel.

Sunday, the U.S. Capitol Police notified the House and Senate flags at the Capitol would be flying at half-staff for the next 24 hours "to stand in solidarity with Israel."

In New York City, the Empire State Building was lit up in blue and white Saturday night.

The city of Miami said Sunday it would fly its flags outside of City Hall at half-staff in solidarity with Israel.

Live updates: Israel orders 'complete siege' of Gaza; at least 9 Americans killed

What happened in Israel?

On Saturday, there were surprise attacks by Hamas that coincided with a major Jewish holiday and the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

It was one of the most significant attacks on Israel in decades, with militants infiltrating 22 towns and army bases by land, air and sea, on motorbikes and by parachutes and motorboats.

By Monday, the death toll stood at 1,200, including at least nine Americans.

What was President Biden's response?

"Today (Saturday), the people of Israel are under attack orchestrated by a terrorist organization, Hamas," Biden said.

"In this moment of tragedy, I want to say to them and to the world and to terrorists everywhere that the United States stands with Israel,

"We will not ever fail to have their back. We'll make sure that they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.

"Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop.

"There's never justification for terrorist attacks. And my administration's support for Israel security is rock solid and unwavering.

"Let me say this as clearly as I can. This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks, to seek advantage.

"The world is watching."

How did Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis respond to the Hamas attacks?

"The dastardly terrorist attacks perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians by Iran-backed terror group Hamas deserve a swift and lethal response," said Gov. Ron DeSantis in a tweet Satuday.

"Israel not only has the right to defend itself against these attacks, it has a duty to respond with overwhelming force.

"I stand with Israel. America must stand with Israel."

DeSantis condemned rallies in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale that supported Hamas, calling them "abhorrent."

"Hamas is a terrorist group that is dedicated to the destruction of Israel and commits atrocities to further that end.

"We are proud of the relationship between Florida and Israel and remember well the support we received from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) following the Surfside tower collapse. Florida stands with Israel as it faces one of its greatest challenges."

Information for Florida residents in Israel

The U.S. Department of State has a coordinating group communicating with U.S. citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing assistance through phone calls and an online form.

U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can fill out the form or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.

For the latest updates, please monitor the messages to U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

U.S. citizens in Israel are being asked to enroll their contact information in the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

For Floridians needing assistance - please visit these links to Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio web pages:

• Sen. Rick Scott

• Sen. Marco Rubio

Latest travel advisories for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

The latest travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department can be found posted on its website.

Are flags flying at half-staff in Florida and the U.S. in support of Israel?

Flags flew at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol for 24 hours starting Sunday "in solidarity with Israel."

Biden has not issued an order for flags to be flown at half-staff across the U.S.

A flag memorandum also has not been issued for Florida by DeSantis.

Rallies, responses across Florida after the attacks

The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties will host avigil and memorial for Israel at 6 p.m. Monday at Temple Beth El in Ormond Beach.

The Palm Beach Jewish Federation launched the Israel Terror Relief Fund on Saturday to help Israelis abroad.

Temple Beth-Am held a prayer vigil at Sunday at its synagogue in Jupiter, and Temple Beth El planned to host a vigil at its Boca Raton campus Sunday.

Jewish leaders in Palm Beach were shocked at the horrible attack with one rabbi calling it, "the most gruesome and brutal and depraved attack against Israel, and humanity, that we've ever seen in our modern day and age,"

Why are some buildings in blue and white?

In New York City, the Empire State Building was lit up in blue and white Saturday night.

On Monday, the 60-story Paramount Miami Worldcenter skyscraper in downtown Miami had "The World’s Tallest Digital Israeli Flag" and the word “solidarity” spelled in English and Hebrew, according to finance!yahoo.

“There is sorrow and outrage in our community, which is the third most Jewish populated metropolitan area in America,” Daniel Kodsi, CEO of the Royal Palm Companies real estate firm and developer of the Paramount Tower, told finance.yahoo.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida reacts to Israel attack with blue buildings, rallies, vigils