The network is centered in Israel's densely populated coastal plain, from which lines radiate out in many directions.

Unlike road vehicles and city trams, Israeli heavy rail trains run on the left hand tracks, matching neighboring Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, whose formerly connected rail networks were constructed by British engineers.

In 2017, the company's head office was moved to a new campus built on the grounds of the Lod railway station.

Although smoking in railway stations is allowed in designated areas, the sale of tobacco from automated vending machines is prohibited.

[10] This line follows the disused route of the Ottoman-period Tulkarm–Lydda railroad, which was abandoned in 1968, and will allow freight and passenger trains to bypass the congested Hadera–Herzliya corridor.

Upon completion, this project will nearly double the capacity of the corridor, allowing a significant increase in train frequency across the network.

[13] A 23.5 kilometres (14.6 mi) line from the city of Acre, on the Mediterranean coast, to Karmiel was completed in March 2017.

[16] In 2011 the reconstruction and expansion of the 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, formerly abandoned Jezreel Valley railway line connecting Haifa and Beit Shean (near the Jordanian border) started.

Another proposed extension under discussion would connect the reconstructed Jezreel Valley railway at Afula to Tiberias.

The main organization has five operational departments: freight, infrastructure, rolling stock, passengers and development.