Nearly 20,000 American citizens have returned to the United States from the Middle East since the beginning of the war as the State Department continues efforts to assist those seeking to leave the region, a department spokesman said today.

In a statement, Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said the returns have taken place as the U.S. government expands charter flights and ground transportation to help Americans depart.

The total does not include Americans who have relocated to other countries in Europe or Asia, or those who have already left the Middle East but remain in transit back to the United States, Johnson said.

At the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department has begun operating charter flights and ground transportation for U.S. citizens in the region and plans to increase those operations.

Additional charter flights and ground transports are expected to take place Thursday as the department ramps up evacuation and travel assistance efforts.

The State Department has also established a crisis intake form for Americans in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Officials said Americans who complete the form will receive information about upcoming charter aviation and ground transportation options.

Separately, U.S. officials said Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport was scheduled to reopen March 6 for limited inbound flights, though there is no information yet on when outbound flights may resume.

In the meantime, the State Department said Americans in Israel should consider overland routes out of the country if they believe it is safe to do so. One option is traveling to the Taba border crossing into Egypt, which officials said is operating and scheduled to remain open 24 hours a day.

From Taba, travelers may take commercial flights from Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, about a three- to four-hour drive away, which offers connections to international destinations. Airlines including Arkia and TUS Airways have posted information about available flights and ticket purchases on their websites.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has now begun offering bus transportation for Americans seeking assistance traveling to the Taba crossing. Buses are expected to depart Friday from the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv areas for citizens who register through an online form.

U.S. consular officers may be present at the Taba crossing to provide limited assistance, officials said.

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo also advised travelers to carry cash to cross the border, recommending at least $85 per person because ATMs at the crossing are unreliable and frequently run out of cash.

Travelers may obtain a 30-day Egyptian visa on arrival at Taba for $30 in cash, allowing entry into the Sinai Peninsula and onward flights from Sharm el-Sheikh, including connections through Cairo. Alternatively, a free entry stamp available at the crossing permits travel within South Sinai only but does not allow onward travel to Cairo or other parts of Egypt.

Travelers are also required to pay $20 in cash for a letter of guarantee issued by local authorities and a $35 exit fee at the Taba border, according to embassy guidance.

The State Department said it will continue assisting any American citizen abroad who wishes to depart the Middle East but cautioned that the U.S. government cannot guarantee travelers’ safety if they choose to leave the region on their own.

Through its 24-hour task force, the department said it has assisted more than 10,000 Americans abroad by providing security guidance and travel assistance.

The department said it will continue assisting any American citizen abroad who wishes to depart the Middle East.

Americans in the region seeking help can contact the State Department’s 24-hour assistance line at +1-202-501-4444.