Sderot trains halted until further notice

Israel Railways said Sunday it would close its train line between Sderot and Ashkelon until further notice, due to fears that trains could be targeted with anti-tank missiles from the Gaza Strip.

The move was ordered by the Defense Ministry following the recent conflict in Gaza and came following fears of renewed violence there, as a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas was set to end with no signs of a ceasefire deal being reached.

Sderot residents will have to use shuttle service to and from Ashkelon, until such time as the Sderot line is deemed safe.

The Transportation Ministry said it was working to fortify and protect the Sderot-Ashkelon line, which connects the Gaza periphery to central Israel, telling Ynet the issue “is being handled by the relevant bodies.”