Israel Railways to Close Southern Stations for Urgent Infrastructure Work

Israel Railways announced significant disruptions to public transportation in southern Israel and the Shephelah region for the weekend of November 12-13, 2026. Two major stations, Ashkelon and Sderot, will be completely closed to passengers for two consecutive days. Popular train lines will operate on a shortened and split schedule to accommodate urgent, "vital and life-saving" infrastructure work aimed at upgrading the railway tracks in the Ashdod area and improving long-term safety and travel quality. The work requires closing the active track section to trains.

The changes will affect two of the busiest lines. The Beer Sheva Merkaz, Herzliya line, which serves communities in the Gaza envelope and the western Negev, will be split. Southbound trains will run only between Beer Sheva Merkaz and Netivot, while the northern section will operate between Ashdod Ad Halom and Herzliya, effectively disconnecting Sderot station for the entire weekend. The Ashkelon, Binyamina line will be shortened, with trains terminating at Ashdod Ad Halom instead of continuing to Ashkelon.

Train services between Beer Sheva and Tel Aviv and northern Israel via the Eastern Line, passing through Kiryat Gat station, will continue as normal. To mitigate the transportation gaps, especially during a period of high travel for soldiers and weekend vacationers, Israel Railways will provide free shuttle services between the closed stations and active connection points.

Normal train operations are expected to resume on Saturday evening, November 14, 2026. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and check updated schedules via the Israel Railways website, app, customer service hotline (5770*), or WhatsApp channel.