Israeli hospitals enter emergency mode, operating underground

Hospitals across Israel have activated emergency protocols and moved critical operations to fortified underground facilities as the country braces for a possible large-scale attack from Iran, anticipated to occur overnight on June 14.

In northern Israel, medical centers including Emek Medical Center in Afula, Bnai Zion in Haifa, Poriya in Tiberias, and the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya began implementing emergency procedures early on June 13. These hospitals transferred critical units to reinforced underground spaces and discharged non-urgent patients to free up capacity, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital also activated its emergency response plan, clearing its Sami Ofer parking area to operate its subterranean emergency facility. The hospital confirmed that its emergency room and related services continue to function at full capacity.

The Wolfson Medical Centre in Holon said that the hospital went into emergency mode early on June 13, limiting activities to emergency care only. Emergency departments, labour wards, neonatal intensive care units, dialysis units and operating rooms for emergency interventions continue to operate in protected areas in accordance with the Home Front Command's instructions.

Israel has declared a special emergency status across the civilian front, citing concerns over a possible imminent missile and drone assault from Iran. Schools across the country were closed, civilians were instructed to stay near bomb shelters, and Israeli airspace was temporarily shut.

The national healthcare system has been placed on high alert following Israel's airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, which killed senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials and nuclear scientists in Tehran. In response, Iran has vowed retaliation, shut down its airspace, and raised regional alert levels. 

By Sabina Mammadli