Haifa, one of Israel’s largest cities, is located on the north coast and is often referred to as the unofficial capital of the north. The city is known for its unique example of coexistence between Arabs and Jews. About 11 percent of Haifa’s population are Arab-Israelites.
However, Haifa is not only a symbol of peaceful coexistence, but also a major destination for Should Hezbollah decide to engage Israel in a larger regional conflict, in mid-June Hezbollah released a nine-minute propaganda video, allegedly filmed by a drone, documenting military and civilian areas in Haifa. This video served as a psychological tactic to instill fear in residents, with the terror group subtly marking its targets in Israel.
During my visit, I visited Haifa’s Rambam Health Care Campus to learn about the city’s preparedness for possible attacks by Hezbollah or the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hospitals are undoubtedly vulnerable targets, and there is no telling what means these terrorist groups would resort to to harm civilians.
When we entered the hospital, we took the elevators down to the Level 3 underground parking garage instead of going up. What I witnessed there was a transformation beyond anything I had ever seen. The Rambam Health Care Campus had converted its underground parking garage into a fully functioning underground fortified hospital. As far as the eye could see, there were hospital beds, about 2,200 in total. The three-story facility, each level of which covers over 20,000 square meters, is the largest underground Hospital in the world.
Professor Michael Halberthal, General Director and CEO of Rambam Health Care Campus, explained that after the destruction caused by the Second Lebanon War, the management of the hospital determined never to leave their patients so vulnerable again. Driven by their commitment to their patients, they built this fortified underground medical facility from scratch, with all necessary infrastructure – present in ceilings and walls – to provide shelter for over 2,000 people patients. In the event of a major attack by Hezbollah or Iran, the hospital can move its entire operations underground in less than eight hours and accommodate two other hospitals in the area, ensuring that medical care can continue uninterrupted in most parts of Haifa.
The underground hospital has 24 fully fortified operating rooms and even has a family day care center that can care for up to 500 children has been set up. The facility can reportedly withstand conventional, chemical and biological attacks. The three-story underground facility has space for patients, staff and families and has enough water, oxygen, electricity, food and gas to last three full days without outside help.
Haifa also has schools, parking garages and other spaces in the region in fortified shelters for locals to prepare for a more serious scenario.
Israel’s ability to adapt and innovate is well known, but when you see how Rambam has Transforming a parking lot into a fully functioning hospital is something that can hardly be put into words. It embodies the true essence of Israel: brilliance, innovation and resilience. According to Professor Halberthal, about thirty percent of the hospital staff are not Jewish. This means that this incredible transformation was achieved largely through the combined efforts of Jews and Arabs working together to save lives. It is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together, even in the shadow of potential destruction.
While there may be no perfect way to prepare for a major war in the north, it is reassuring to see that the Rambam Health Care Campus has found a way to ensure it can continue to save lives despite unimaginable threats. This underground hospital is a testament not only to Israel’s ingenuity, but also to its unwavering determination to protect its citizens. It may look like an ordinary hospital, but it represents the indomitable Jewish spirit of survival and resilience.
