Health Ministry Readies Northern Hospitals Amid Escalating Border Tensions

By Yoni Weiss

The Health Ministry has directed northern hospitals to brace for a surge in casualties amidst escalating border clashes with Lebanon, as reported by Kan News on Tuesday night. Tzfas’s Ziv Hospital and Nahariya’s Galilee Medical Center are readying for a scenario likened to a “desert island” situation, expecting shortages of supplies in the event of a major Hezbollah assault, chalilah.

Preparations include potential patient transfers and heightened vigilance across the country’s health facilities. Hospitals are urged to maintain readiness for swift response, potentially limiting occupancy to 50% in protected units to prioritize care for the injured.

In anticipation of potential disruptions, the Health Ministry is preparing for contingencies where medical teams may be injured or called up as reservists. They’ve sought foreign doctor assistance, with around 7,000 Jewish doctors overseas expressing readiness to volunteer if required.

Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman Tov mandated all Israeli hospitals to swiftly transition to emergency mode within 24 hours. This includes moving to secure areas, discharging patients when feasible, and preparing to accommodate a significant influx of casualties.