Fire breaks out near Ness Ziona railway tracks, disrupting trains across central, southern Israel

ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAMJULY 19, 2026 08:38Updated: JULY 19, 2026 08:41Firefighters are working to put out a brush fire burning near train tracks in the area of Ness Ziona, the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority announced on Sunday morning.Due to the proximity of the fire to the tracks, train movement between the Lod, Rehovot, and Ashkelon stations, as well as that between the Lod and Rishon Lezion stations, has been temporarily suspended.Firefighters are working with Israel Railways to contain the fire and protect the track's infrastructure.Fires break out in West Bank, northern IsraelThis is the fourth fire to break out in two days.On Saturday, three fast-moving fires in the West Bank and northern Israel wreaked havoc, setting about a dozen homes on fire and damaging several vehicles, including a fire truck.Fires in the West Bank and northern Israel cause residents to evacuate as houses burn. (credit: FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE)The first fire broke out at Gilad Farm in the West Bank. Israel Police evacuated residents and blocked part of Highway 55 before firefighters eventually brought that blaze under control. Two firefighters were moderately and lightly injured, and several residents were treated for smoke inhalation, Ynet reported.In northern Israel, fires broke out in the Jezreel Valley, in the village of Vradim, and one in the Mount Tabor area, near Shibli.All three fires were eventually contained by firefighters. Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported that authorities are investigating the possibility of arson in the Jezreel Valley fire.Ruby Sadikman, Alon Hachmon, and Moshe Cohen contributed to this report.Follow us on Google