Amid escalating tensions with Iran in the past few weeks, Israel's health services have begun preparing for war by taking proactive measures to ensure continuity of care during potential missile strikes.
Health funds have developed a comprehensive plan to adapt medical services during emergencies, focusing on clinics with proper shelter or proximity to protected areas. Clinics lacking protection will close under the plan, with patients redirected to nearby secure facilities.
Telehealth services will also be expanded to facilitate remote care, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Telemedicine consultations, which are typically used for routine visits, will now be the primary mode of care if citizens are required to stay at home.
A main challenge will involve patients who rely on electrical equipment, such as ventilators, heart failure pumps, and oxygen generators, the report noted, adding that around 2,400 complex ventilated patients in Israel have been provided with personal generators capable of supplying power for up to 72 hours.
In the event of power outages caused by a potential war, these patients will be contacted to ensure they have access to charging stations or alternative power sources.
In addition, the health system has mapped patients who rely on electrical equipment and has provided backup generators for ventilated patients.
Regional centers have been established to ensure patients can access essential equipment. Health services are also preparing for evacuations, coordinating with local authorities to transfer residents to hotels or reception centers, and setting up temporary medical facilities in high-evacuation areas such as the Dead Sea.
These preparations follow lessons from the 2025 missile strike on Soroka Medical Center, prompting updated emergency protocols and improved systems across hospitals.
Any movement to underground facilities will occur only under explicit instructions
Preparations are underway and will be divided into three phases, Head of the Emergency Preparedness Division at Clalit Health Services, Dr. Eran Metz, told Maariv.
First, each clinic’s protection level has been assessed. Clinics that do not meet the required protection standards will close during emergencies. Second, a map of alternative clinics will be created to ensure patients know where to go if their regular clinic is closed. Most patients will be directed to clinics within the same city or nearby settlements. The third phase will involve using alternative buildings for clinics that lack permanent protection, with improvements to enable safer operations.
Hospitals review backup systems to ensure preparedness
In addition to Soroka, Rambam Hospital in Haifa, which has operated an underground emergency hospital for years, has held internal discussions on bed distribution and the activation of support systems. Hospitals in northern and central Israel have also reviewed their electrical, water, and oxygen backup systems to ensure they can function in enclosed conditions during a crisis.
Any movement to underground facilities will occur only under explicit instructions from the Home Front Command and the Health Ministry's emergency operations center, based on current security assessments.
Health officials have stressed that, for now, the public is encouraged to continue seeking medical treatment as usual, including scheduled surgeries, check-ups, and hospitalizations. There have been no widespread cancellations of medical services, and the healthcare system continues to operate fully while maintaining readiness for any emergency scenario.