Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a groundbreaking 100 billion shekel ($27 billion) rail expansion, aimed at connecting remote areas to the bustling metropolitan hub of Tel Aviv and potentially establishing overland connections to Saudi Arabia.
The significant infrastructure development comes in the wake of top U.S. officials’ recent visit to Saudi Arabia, indicating progress towards the possibility of formal relations between the Muslim powerhouse and Israel.
During the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of initiatives like the “One Israel Project,” which aims to significantly reduce travel time by train to the country’s major business and government centers, targeting a two-hour commute or less.