Society

The past week brought a series of unusual weather phenomena to Israel. While most of the country experienced heatwaves, the Jerusalem and Dead Sea areas saw heavy rains and flooding that paralyzed regional traffic.

In Moshav Beka'ot, 11 mm of rain have been recorded. In the afternoon, rain is expected in the Jerusalem area, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea. The coming days will bring cooling followed by a shift toward increased heat stress.

A large marine predator was caught in the city of Aqaba in Jordan and is defined by local residents as "the largest animal caught in recent years." Swordfish tend to migrate to the area during the hot summer months. Unlike the neighboring country, fishing in Israel is subject to strict licensing and location restrictions.

Business owners in Tiberias blocked Hagalil Street following payment demands of thousands of shekels for garbage collection. The municipality has frozen enforcement for now, but protesters demand a full cancellation.

Following multi-million shekel investments in infrastructure and specialized staff training, Israel Railways is reporting a significant surge in ridership and high service satisfaction rates.

Dozens of business owners in Tiberias held protests and blocked the main street to oppose new "excess waste" charges, which they argue are an unfair burden during the current economic crisis. The municipality has announced a temporary freeze on enforcement while individual claims are reviewed.

A worker aged about 40 was seriously injured after being struck by a heavy object while working at a construction site on HaMelech Amatziahu Street in Haifa. MADA teams provided medical treatment and evacuated him to Rambam Hospital.

Starting tonight, Saturday, significant traffic disruptions are expected near the KKL bridge in Tel Aviv due to the start of a two-week rehabilitation project. Each week, one direction of traffic will be closed to facilitate safety upgrades.

Following record-breaking rainfall in Jerusalem and the Judean Desert, local rain and thunderstorms are expected tomorrow, primarily in the east, with a continued risk of flash floods. Police are on high alert, and the Nature and Parks Authority has prohibited entry into flowing riverbeds.

More than 20 mm of rain, for the fourth time since records began: following heavy downpours in the Jerusalem area, flash floods are possible tomorrow in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Experts link the anomaly to the "super El Niño" phenomenon.

Following a violent brawl, the mayor of Holon announced that on weekends and holidays, entry to the Yamit 2000 water park will be restricted to city residents and their family members. While the mayor cites safety as the priority, legal experts warn the policy may face significant challenges.

On Saturday, police and volunteers launched extensive searches for 4-year-old Yunes Abu Ganam from Rahat, who went missing at Delila Beach in Ashkelon. After hours of intensive searching, the child was found safe and sound.

The police requested today (Saturday) the public's help in locating 4-year-old Yunis Abu Ghanem from Rahat, who went missing at Delila Beach in Ashkelon. Police forces and volunteers are conducting extensive searches in the area.

Chaim Broyda, Mayor of Ra'anana, after closing the city's first 'roof agreement' and a little more than two months before the national elections, explains to 'Maariv' why he blew up the ceremony with the Minister of Construction and declares: "Even the most senior figure is not above the law."

Rain began falling in Jerusalem and the north this afternoon; there is a continued risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Swimming at Achziv Beach is prohibited due to dangerous sea conditions.

Temperatures will rise, but local rains are expected from the afternoon. In the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, there is a risk of flash floods. The unusual weather will continue throughout the week with drizzles, rains, and a drop in temperatures.

The city of Eilat has suffered from a severe shortage of efficient medical services since its inception. The city hopes to overcome this by training medical staff at a dedicated faculty that will be established for this purpose in Eilat, with an expected opening this September.

Hundreds of family members and residents participated in a memorial evening for 16-year-old Yonatan (Tuni) Ephraim Klimian, who died in a rappelling accident at Keshet Cave. The event was held at the Bnei Akiva Golan Ulpana, an institution with deep ties to the Klimian family.

Members of the Bnei Akiva branch in Malbes raised about 90,000 shekels to write a Torah scroll in memory of their friend Yamanu Zalka, who was murdered on the night of Independence Day. The scroll was dedicated during a moving procession near what would have been his 21st birthday.

The "Ananim - Aviation for the Community" association gave children who were evacuated from their homes an hour of respite in the skies - a moment of hope, empowerment, and a smile.

In the Shikun Vatikim neighborhood of Ramat Gan, jackal sightings have become frequent. Following an attack on a pet, residents are expressing serious concerns for the safety of their children.

A new interchange and tunnels under Highway 1 will shorten the way to the airport by 10 kilometers for every passenger. Terminal 3 will be expanded in all directions, with 90 new check-in counters and a new concourse for aircraft added. The number of parking spaces will be doubled to 40,000, and the first five-star hotel will open on the airport grounds.

A water pipe burst near the Beresheet Hotel in Mitzpe Ramon left guests and residents in nearby homes without water for hours. 'It is impossible to brush teeth, shower, or make coffee.'

A woman who installed a wooden fence in her garden to allow her dog to roam outside safely soon found herself in a confrontation with her neighbor. The reason: the neighbor claimed the new fence ruins her view and demanded it be moved.

An unusual incident occurred this evening (Thursday) on Highway 651 near the Yam Junction: a bus driver, aged about 50, collapsed and lost consciousness while driving, apparently due to a medical issue. Following the collapse, the bus collided with a private vehicle.

Unstable rainy weather is expected to hit large areas of Israel starting from noon. Emergency forces are on high alert due to fears of deadly flash floods, and safety guidelines have been published.

The Regavim movement warns of severe pollution in a stream in the Negev and demands increased enforcement against those responsible. According to them, waste is burned and dumped without permission, and animal carcasses are accumulating in the area. Ahead of winter, the movement warns: rains could wash away the waste, block the stream's channel, and cause flooding.

An infant about one year old was brought to meet with MADA teams on Highway 9 near the Baqa-Jatt interchange after being scalded by a hot drink on his upper body. Medical teams provided initial treatment in the field and evacuated him in an intensive care ambulance to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, suffering from second-degree burns.

Employees at a post office in Yavne suffered for two days from a suffocating smell, until municipal teams summoned to the scene discovered a man's body against the building's wall.

The total amount of fines imposed by the Second Authority for Television and Radio on Channel 14 has reached 160,000 shekels, following the failure to submit revenue data for 2025. The new sanction was applied after the deadline set for correcting the violation passed, and the Second Authority clarified that the handling of the matter is still ongoing.

"Very, very unusual": The director of the Meteorological Service, Dr. Amir Givati, explained in an interview with the ynet studio the connection between the possibility of heavy rains in the middle of August and the "Super El Niño" phenomenon, the reasons for the extreme change, and when the peak is expected.

The activity, which took place at the initiative of the Bat Yam Municipality and in cooperation with the "Habaita" organization, reflects the desire of new immigrants to integrate into Israeli society, take an active part in community life, and contribute to the city.

Great news for Jerusalem: Starting today, the light rail is implementing significant operational changes. The extended service will be in effect primarily on weekends, during the days of Selichot, and during the intermediate days of Sukkot.

One of Jerusalem's central traffic routes is scheduled to close starting next week due to infrastructure work. Consequently, changes are expected in public transport routes and traffic lanes. Drivers are requested to use navigation apps.

Mei Avivim discovered that new neighborhoods under construction in northern Tel Aviv would lack water access, leading to the approval of an 80 million shekel pipeline project with Mekorot.

Aviv, an IDF veteran suffering from PTSD, was asked to leave a McDonald's branch while dining with his family and his service dog. Staff cited a customer's allergy as the reason. McDonald's has since apologized, calling the incident an error in judgment.

Haifa Airport is facing significant congestion and parking shortages due to record-breaking passenger numbers this summer. Authorities are working on infrastructure upgrades to address the load.

The Israel Airports Authority announced on Thursday the construction of a new parking lot at Haifa Airport, featuring approximately 900 spaces. The 20-dunam project aims to accommodate the recent surge in passenger traffic and expand travel options for residents of Haifa and the North.

The giant Israeli flag in Kfar Shmaryahu was recently removed due to a legal dispute between its owner, the local council, and the Herzliya municipality. Boaz Hayun shared that he raised it "with the intention of uniting the people" after October 7, and has now decided not to appeal - because "such an appeal would not unite the people." In Kfar Shmaryahu, they denied his words.

Following the easing of the heatwave, Israel expects partly cloudy skies and a further drop in temperatures. On Saturday, unseasonal rain is possible in the east of the country.