Over 32,000 US citizens have returned from the Middle East to the United States between February 28 and March 8, according to the US State Department, which added that this figure does not include those who have relocated to other countries or those still in transit to the US.
The State Department has completed nearly two dozen charter flights and safely evacuated thousands of US citizens from the region, with charter flight and ground transport operations continuing to ramp up as security conditions allow.
Additionally, the department claims to have directly assisted over 19,000 Americans abroad with security guidance and travel assistance through its 24/7 Task Force.
However, as of Sunday, over half of US citizens who requested help leaving the Middle East declined US Government-provided transportation options when contacted, with some wishing to remain in their current country and others preferring alternative departure options.
The department said it will continue to actively assist any US citizen who wishes to depart from the region, and urged all who want aid leaving Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Israel to complete the Crisis Intake Form on its website.
Overland route through Egypt recommended to US citizens in Israel
Multiple US citizens in Israel who have reached out to the State Department have received advice on land routes to Taba, Egypt, where commercial options to leave the region are operating.
The US Embassy in Israel has started offering bus service to Taba for US citizens, departing from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the first departure on March 7. More will be scheduled if there is demand, the department said.
The US Embassy in Egypt issued guidance stating that all travelers should have at least $85 to pay for border documents, and emails from the State Department included a link to guidelines to protect citizens from scams.