Transportation

By Pesach Benson • December 25, 2025

Jerusalem, 25 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s aviation sector soared in 2025, signaling a recovery after years of disruption caused by war in Gaza and Lebanon. New figures from the Israel Airports Authority (IAA), released on Wednesday, showed a sharp increase in both passenger numbers and flight operations.

ben gurion Airport, Israel’s main hub, led the resurgence. In 2025, nearly 18.4 million passengers traveled on international flights through Tel Aviv, a 33 percent jump from 2024. The airport recorded roughly 134,000 takeoffs and landings, up 32 percent from the previous year.

“The growth in passenger traffic and the return of airlines to Israel testify to the resilience of our aviation system,” said Moshe Ben Zakai, director general of the Ministry of Transport. “We are preparing for sustained growth in the years ahead.”

Domestic carriers still dominate Tel Aviv, with El Al, Israir, and Arkia together handling 58 percent of all flights. El Al, Israel’s largest airline, saw its share drop to 38 percent as foreign carriers resumed operations. Greece remained the most popular international destination, welcoming 2.2 million Israeli travelers, followed by the United States with 1.6 million, and the United Arab Emirates with 1.5 million. Italy and Cyprus each drew around 1.2 million passengers, reflecting a mix of long-standing and emerging travel patterns.

Other airports in Israel also experienced strong gains. Haifa International Airport recorded 280,757 passengers, of whom 198,000 traveled internationally, buoyed by Air Haifa’s full return to service. Ramon Airport near Eilat grew by 13 percent, handling 750,000 passengers, almost entirely on domestic flights.

“The 2025 data shows Israeli aviation firmly returning to the center of the international map,” said Sharon Kadmi, CEO of the Airports Authority. “Even under complex conditions, we maintained high operational continuity and safety while preparing for sustained expansion at airports and border crossings.”

The Airports Authority is moving quickly to meet rising demand. It has submitted a development plan worth 7.9 billion shekels ($2.48 billion) to the government to upgrade and expand airports and border infrastructure. “2025 proves that Israeli aviation can grow even in challenging times,” said Minister of Transport Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev. “Investments in airports, passenger services, and safety are part of a strategic approach to ensure advanced, accessible aviation now and in the future.”

In early December, the Israel Planning Administration approved a construction permit for a new terminal featuring modern baggage-handling systems, check-in counters, offices, and unloading zones to handle growing passenger demand. The airport expects traffic to reach 22 million in 2026.

Land border crossings managed by the IAA also showed an upward trend, with 5.25 million people crossing in 2025. The Yitzhak Rabin Crossing, linking Eilat with Jordan’s Aqaba, saw nearly 1.93 million travelers, up 19 percent. The Begin-Taba Crossing to Egypt surged 56 percent to 960,000. Meanwhile, the Allenby Crossing connecting Judea and Samaria with Jordan recorded 1.87 million travelers despite temporary closures earlier in the year, and the Jordan River Crossing grew by 24 percent to 495,000.

By Pesach Benson • November 30, 2025

Jerusalem, 30 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Tel Aviv train services were fully restored late Sunday morning after a deadly incident near a busy Tel Aviv station caused nearly two hours of widespread delays across the country.

Israel Railways halted traffic between Tel Aviv HaHagana and Lod–Ben Gurion Airport stations after a man fell onto the tracks and was struck by a passing train near the Ganot junction. Magen David Adom emergency responders declared the man dead at the scene. Police are investigating.

Israel Railways said the individual had entered the track area in violation of safety regulations. Police allowed limited rail movement using a single track before giving approval for full service to resume at 09:50.

The shutdown, which began during the morning rush, triggered severe disruptions throughout the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and Dan region. Israel’s busiest north–south lines run through this corridor. Stations across Tel Aviv, including Savidor Center, saw large crowds of stranded passengers and soldiers waiting for updates as trains were rerouted or canceled.

The incident caused delays of more than 90 minutes on key commuter lines. Authorities said operations have now returned to normal.

By Pesach Benson • November 25, 2025

Jerusalem, 25 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — After days of unseasonably hot weather, Israel was hit Tuesday by an intense storm that brought record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding and dozens of emergency rescues.

“We saw tens of thousands of lightning strikes and thunderstorms developing overnight,” said Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service. “Conditions deteriorated rapidly, and many areas in the north and center experienced large amounts of rain, accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts.”

Meteorologists reported that 128 millimeters of rain fell within four hours in Neve Tzuf in Samaria — a new record for Israel’s central region — while Ariel registered 100 millimeters in the same period.

Heavy rain was recorded from the Galilee to the northern Negev. Karnei Shomron received 50 millimeters, Mevo Dotan 47, Ariel 39, Haifa 33 and Modi’in 30. In the south, the Negev Junction logged 35 millimeters, while Beersheba saw 28, the Nevatim area 25, Mitzpe Ramon 18, and smaller amounts were measured in the Arava.

In the Hebron Hills, part of the security barrier separating Israel from the Palestinian Authority collapsed under pressure from water and runoff, leaving a section of the fence open.

The Meteorological Service issued flood warnings across the coastal plain, the lowlands and desert regions, stressing the high risk in dry riverbeds in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea basin and the Arava. “In the morning, rain will continue from the north to the northern Negev — some of it very heavy,” Givati said. “There remains significant concern for flooding, and only in the second half of the day will the rains decrease and taper off toward evening.”

The downpour forced major road closures and caused significant disruption to transportation. In the Negev, portions of Route 90, Route 40 and roads near Dimona, Sde Boker and Ramon Crater were blocked by flooding, while the entrance to Kibbutz Mashabei Sade was closed. In central Israel, authorities shut Route 446 by Modi’in Illit and Route 463 near Na’ela.

Israel Fire and Rescue Services said its teams had responded to dozens of incidents since Monday night, many involving trapped motorists and flooded residential buildings. Crews rescued people from vehicles in Hora, Nahal Yatir, Tamra, Omer, Nahal Alexander and Kiryat Gat, and evacuated residents from flooded homes in Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Motzkin, Shaar Shomron and Ariel. In Elkana, firefighters brought ten residents, including a mother and her baby, to safety. The agency said command centers were reinforced throughout the storm and urged the public to avoid flooded areas.

Magen David Adom teams were dispatched repeatedly throughout the night to deal with flooded homes and stranded vehicles in Kiryat Gat, Rahat, Shfaram, Modi’in Illit, Beersheba, Kafr Qasem and Tirat Carmel. In all cases examined by medics, no injuries were reported.

By Pesach Benson • November 13, 2025

Jerusalem, 13 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Customs inspectors at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle nearly 200 exotic animals, Israeli authorities announced on Thursday.

The suspect, a 24-year-old Israeli man from Bnei Brak, was caught with 186 animals in his suitcase, including snakes, turtles, crabs, frogs, lizards, and other amphibians worth an estimated tens of thousands of dollars, the Tax Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Nature and Parks Authority said.

The suspect had arrived at Ben Gurion on a flight from Thailand.

“These are various species that could become invasive and pose a threat to local wildlife and agriculture,” officials said. “Experience shows that smuggled animals arriving without proper veterinary inspection often carry dangerous parasites and diseases, and most die shortly after arrival.”

All the animals survived the trip. Authorities are working to return them to their countries of origin.

he Ministry of Environmental Protection is issuing a new Call for Proposals to local authorities with a total scope of 8.5 million ₪ to support the purchase and deployment of innovative technological systems: cameras and noise detectors that identify noise resulting from honking not intended to prevent danger. These systems will enable effective enforcement against noisy drivers and vehicles, contributing to improving the quality of life for residents and reducing noise pollution in the public sphere.

This Call for Proposals is in addition to the Ministry’s support that was transferred earlier this year to nine local authorities, totaling approximately 10 million ₪. As part of this support, 43 advanced cameras are expected to be deployed in the urban area. Their installation will commence according to the timelines set out in the Call for Proposals (CfP). The expansion of support will enable additional authorities to join the nationwide effort to reduce noise pollution in the public sphere.

The Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman: “The Ministry of Environmental Protection is leading the Quiet Revolution in Israel’s cities. Noise from vehicles causes an unbearable detriment to public health and the quality of life for all of us, which is why the Ministry continues to act to reduce noise pollution, including through advanced tools. Support for local authorities is an opportunity to create real change on city streets, and an option for additional authorities to act to improve the quality of life for residents and join us in this important initiative”.

Noise from vehicles is not just a daily nuisance but a serious environmental and health hazard that harms residents. The installation of the systems will allow for more precise enforcement, contribute to deterrence and increased awareness, and reduce the phenomenon of unnecessary honking and loud noise from vehicles (noise unrelated to the vehicle’s proper operation, such as noise that sounds like echoes of explosions, gunshots, or an alarm).

The Ministry of Environmental Protection calls upon local authorities with more than 50,000 residents or clusters of authorities collaborating to submit applications until November 18, 2025.

The following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States, the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel on the occasion of today’s 3+1 Energy Ministerial:

The energy ministers of the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, State of Israel, and United States, as well as the co-chairs of the United States’ National Energy Dominance Council, met today (6.11)  to reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, as key to regional strategic stability and resilience. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for broader regional interconnectivity projects, currently in progress and future ones, within the context of the India Middle East Europe Corridor; energy development; and cooperation on energy infrastructure protection.

In addition, they committed to use the 3+1 format to support the goal of diversifying the region’s energy supplies by reducing reliance on malign actors and improving connectivity between like-minded regional partners. They condemned Russian attempts to circumvent oil sanctions and finance its continuing war on Ukraine. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to Europe-Israel energy infrastructure cooperation. The ministers aim to convene in Washington, D.C., in the second quarter of 2026 to further build out energy cooperation between their countries under the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean 3+1 Energy Dialogue.

The Customs House at Ben Gurion Airport, in cooperation with the Ben Gurion Airport Police Special Investigation Unit 747 in the Central District, yesterday succeeded in uncovering and thwarting an attempt to smuggle 18 kg of the drug MDMA by a resident of Beit Shemesh in his 30s, who returned to Israel on a flight from Prague.

Meanwhile, a double-walled mirror was found in the suitcase of a passenger who aroused the suspicion of the customs inspectors in the passenger hall. In a search of the suitcase, in a joint operation with investigators from the Customs Narcotics Unit and detectives from Unit 747, suspicious bags containing approximately 18 kilograms of a substance suspected to be a type of MDMA were discovered. Investigators from Unit 747 arrested the suspect – as stated, a resident of Beit Shemesh in his 30s.

All findings were transferred for further evidence extraction to the Israel Police forensic laboratories, along with the suspect’s detention for questioning at the Ben Gurion Airport area offices. In accordance with its findings, he was brought before the court yesterday and, at the request of the police, his detention was extended by the court until Thursday.

By Pesach Benson • November 9, 2025

Jerusalem, 9 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli government approved a comprehensive plan to develop Beer-Sheva and the wider Negev region, with an investment of approximately NIS 1 billion ($310 million) on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan represents a historic transformation for the metropolitan area.

“Today, we are bringing to the government a major assistance program for Beer-Sheva, totaling over a billion shekels. This includes strengthening in many areas that are important to the citizens of Beer-Sheva: light rail, cyber assistance, R&D development, livelihoods. Our actions will strengthen the entire Negev region,” Netanyahu said.

The plan targets four main areas. Approximately NIS 200 million ($61.3 million) will be dedicated to economic growth, including the establishment of a dual civilian-military applied R&D center. The initiative aims to expand the ecosystem connecting academia, industry, and the military while promoting innovation, cyber technologies, employment, tourism, and the revitalization of Beer-Sheva’s Old City as a hub for young residents and tourists.

Transportation infrastructure will also see significant investment. The government plans to construct a light rail system linking Beer-Sheva with surrounding suburbs and Israel Defense Forces facilities, including a route to a new hospital. Officials say the development is designed to meet the demands of a growing metropolitan population.

NIS 500 million ($153.2 million) will be allocated to enhance personal security and quality of life. This includes the construction of a new police station, expansion of the Southern Police District, and deployment of advanced technological systems to address regional security challenges. Health services will be bolstered with additional psychologists and paramedical staff, while urban renewal, culture, and sports programs will receive dedicated support, including a Wingate Institute branch in the city.

Education and human capital development will receive around NIS 120 million ($36.8 million), focusing on formal and informal learning, STEM education, and higher education excellence. A municipal center for technological professions is planned to foster innovation and workforce development in the region.

Finance Minister Smotrich emphasized the practical impact of the plan, saying, “We continue to realize a vision of developing and flourishing the Negev, not with slogans but with budgets and actions. Over a billion shekels that will be poured into Beer-Sheva are real good news for the capital of the Negev and all residents of the region. I thank the Prime Minister for his cooperation and all my fellow ministers who have mobilized. Special thanks to the mayor, Rubik Danilovich, who is a soul player and a true partner.”

Danilovich hailed the initiative as “a central national mission. The Negev is in a crucial period for its future and the future of the country. If we mobilize together, we will transform Beer-Sheva and the Negev into the new Israeli dream,” he said.

Roughly 676,000 people live in the Beer-Sheva metropolitan area.

By Pesach Benson • November 9, 2025

Jerusalem, 9 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed at Sunday’s government meeting that Israel is expected to receive the body of fallen IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin later in the day, 11 years after his death and abduction by Hamas. He also unveiled an NIS 1.2 billion ($370 million) aid package for Beer-Sheva and noted an upgrade of Israel’s Standard & Poor’s credit rating.

“Hamas announced yesterday that it is holding the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, may his memory be blessed,” Netanyahu said. “We are supposed to receive the body this afternoon. During this entire period, we made great efforts to return him, amid the severe torment of his family, who will now be able to bring him to the grave of Israel.”

Goldin was killed in 2014 during fierce fighting in Rafah. His body was seized by Hamas, which refused to return it despite repeated international appeals and Israeli negotiations.

“We said at the beginning of the war that we would return all the abductees, without exception. Two hundred fifty-five were kidnapped, and we have returned 250 so far. We will return them all,” he said. “This is a great duty of ours, both for our soldiers and for the security personnel. It expresses the mutual guarantee we have for the citizens and fighters of Israel.”

According to Al Jazeera, Goldin’s body was found in an area of Rafah in southern Gaza controlled by the IDF. Rafah lies behind the Yellow Line established by the current ceasefire framework. Some 200 Hamas gunmen are stranded in tunnels on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line. Israeli officials have reportedly indicated a willingness to let the Hamas men leave in exchange for the return of Goldin’s body. Israeli officials have not indicated whether any deal was made.

Goldin was killed and his body seized by Hamas in Rafah in 2014 during a U.S. and U.N.-brokered ceasefire on Aug. 1, 2014. A Hamas squad emerged from a tunnel and ambushed Goldin’s unit, killing him and two other soldiers.

Netanyahu’s comments did not address the issue of safe passage for around 200 Hamas terrorists stranded in tunnels on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line.

Turning to domestic issues, Netanyahu unveiled an NIS 1.2 billion ($370 million) aid package for Beer-Sheva aimed at strengthening infrastructure, healthcare, and economic growth in the Negev. The plan includes a new light rail line connecting the city to Soroka Medical Center, a new hospital tower, and expanded investment in cyber, R&D, and industry.

“This strengthens the entire Negev,” Netanyahu said. “It’s part of a plan I’ve been leading for years to develop the south by combining government infrastructure with private sector investment.”

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev also mentioned plans for a high-speed train running from Haifa to Beer-Sheva cutting travel time between the two cities to about an hour.

Netanyahu also pointed to positive economic indicators, including a recent S&P upgrade to Israel’s credit rating. On Friday, S&P upgraded Israel’s rating outlook to “Stable,” while maintaining the country’s overall rating at “A.” This marks the first positive shift in Israel’s credit assessment since all three major agencies — S&P, Moody’s and Fitch lowered the country’s credit rating during the war.

“Israel’s geopolitical status has greatly strengthened,” Netanyahu said, asserting that Iran’s regional influence has been “significantly reduced” since the war. He cited low unemployment, strong shekel performance, and robust postwar economic growth as proof of the country’s resilience.

“Israel’s economy is very strong,” Netanyahu said. “It will continue to be strong with the responsible policy that we will continue to lead.”

By Pesach Benson • November 5, 2025

Jerusalem, 5 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Archaeologists in northern Israel have uncovered extraordinary evidence of ancient wine production and Canaanite folk worship near Tel Megiddo, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Wednesday.

Excavations conducted ahead of road construction along a highway revealed a winepress estimated to be 5,000 years old—one of the oldest ever found in Israel—alongside ritual artifacts from around 3,300 years ago that shed light on domestic religious practices in the region long before the arrival of the Israelites.

“This winepress is unique, one of very few known from such an ancient period when urbanization first took place in our region,” said Dr. Amir Golani, one of the excavation directors. “Until now, indirect evidence indicated that wine could have been produced 5,000 years ago, but we did not have conclusive proof of this — a ‘smoking gun’ that would clearly show when this happened in our area. This winepress finally provides new and clear evidence that early wine production actually took place here.”

The Early Bronze Age winepress was carved directly into the rock, featuring a sloping treading surface and a collection vat. Archaeologists also discovered the remains of nearby residential buildings, highlighting the importance of wine production in the local community and the extension of Megiddo’s settlement far beyond the city’s ancient tell.

Later finds from the Late Bronze Age II include a carefully buried set of ritual vessels, a miniature ceramic shrine, and imported jugs from Cyprus. Of particular note is a complete ceremonial utensil set, including a zoomorphic vessel shaped like a ram, which appears to have been used for libations. Researchers explained: “A small bowl, which was attached to the ram’s body, was designed to function as a funnel, and a similar bowl — with a handle—was probably held to pour the liquid into the funnel during a ceremony. The ram’s head was shaped like a spout. Once the vessel was filled, tilting the ram forward spilled the liquid out from its mouth into a small bowl placed before it. The vessel seems intended for pouring a valuable liquid such as milk, oil, wine, or another beverage, which could either be drunk directly from the spout, poured into a smaller vessel for consumption, or offered as a votive gift.”

The placement of these ritual vessels near a large rock outcrop outside the main city gate suggests that local farmers may have conducted ceremonies beyond the confines of the city, offering liquids or agricultural produce to express devotion. “Megiddo has been excavated for over a century,” the researchers noted. “While it is long recognized as a key site in the study of ancient urbanism and Canaanite worship, the excavations we conducted east of the tel have revealed a new part of the matrix between the known settlement in the city and the activities taking place in the surrounding area.”

The excavation forms part of a major infrastructure project along Highway 66, a critical artery connecting the Jezreel Valley, Yokneam, and the Gilboa region. The 1.2-kilometer excavation unearthed a range of artifacts spanning multiple periods, from the Early Bronze Age IB to the Late Bronze Age II, revealing both the region’s settlement expansion and religious practices. Many of the items will be displayed in Jerusalem.

The Highway 66 project is being carried out “with a deep commitment to preserving our nature, history, and heritage values,” said Nissim Peretz, CEO of Netivei Israel, the government-owned company responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the country’s road and railway infrastructure. “These remarkable discoveries are a national asset and proof that advancing national infrastructure can proceed with full responsibility towards the past.”

Tel Megiddo is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Middle East, with a history stretching back over 5,000 years. Inhabited continuously for over 5,000 years, it is mentioned several times in the Bible. Christian texts often refer to the site as “Armageddon.” Today it is designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site.