Train service from the Tel Aviv area to Jerusalem and Beersheva will be halted during the coming week, Israel Railways announced. The cancellation of train service is expected to affect tens of thousands of riders. The shutdown is due to an upgrade of the track on the route between Lod and the Na'an station. Trains from Tel Aviv will not be able to travel past Lod, the main switching station for trains east and south.

Service will be halted between noon Sunday and noon Thursday. Israel Railways apologized for the delays, and said they would make sure that service was in effect on Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon and evening, the heaviest travel period for the railway.