Train Operations Near Gaza to Restart Today
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Synopsis
Israel Railways announces the resumption of train services near the Gaza border following a temporary halt due to security concerns amidst escalating hostilities. The services between Ashkelon and Sderot are set to restart, providing vital connectivity in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Train services near Gaza will resume today.
- Suspension occurred due to security risks from airstrikes.
- Alternative shuttle services were provided during the halt.
- The route connects key cities in southern Israel.
- Israeli forces have resumed ground operations in Gaza.
Jerusalem, March 23 (NationPress) Israel Railways has declared that train services adjacent to the Gaza border will recommence on early Sunday morning.
The railway services between Ashkelon and Sderot stations were suspended on Tuesday, with alternative shuttle services provided between the two locations, following Israel's latest, lethal, and large-scale airstrikes on Gaza, as reported by Xinhua news agency on Saturday.
This line connects Ashkelon, located north of the Gaza Strip, to Beer Sheva in the northern Negev.
The route also links Sderot and other communities in the western Negev with central Israel.
Previously, train services between Ashkelon and Sderot were halted for security concerns after the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. Services resumed last month once hostilities decreased.
Earlier, the Israeli army prohibited traffic on Thursday on Gaza's primary north-south route, just a day after announcing renewed ground operations in the Palestinian region.
"In the past 24 hours, IDF soldiers have initiated a targeted ground operation in central and southern Gaza Strip to broaden the security zone between the northern and southern regions," army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on X.
Travel along Salaheddin Road, which connects the north and south of Gaza Strip, is restricted "for your safety," he mentioned.
"Instead, travel from northern Gaza to the south is viable via the Al-Rashid coastal road," Adraee continued, without clarifying if this meant travel from south to north was forbidden.
An official from Gaza's Hamas-led Interior Ministry indicated that the Israeli army had shut down what it terms Netzarim Junction, situated on Salaheddin Road just south of Gaza City, on Wednesday evening.
This official stated that Israeli tanks had been deployed at the junction, where the road intersects with Israel's primary supply route, "following the withdrawal of American special security forces yesterday (Wednesday) morning."
He referred to American private security contractors who were deployed in February after Israeli forces retreated under the terms of a ceasefire established on January 19.
Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday, effectively concluding a ceasefire with Hamas that began on January 19.
Following this, Israeli forces initiated ground operations throughout southern, northern, and central Gaza.
In retaliation, Hamas executed several rocket launches targeted at Israeli territory, the majority of which, according to Israel, were intercepted.
