Gaza situation escalates: 150% call increase to Israeli trauma center

Many of the calls are from parents living in the Gaza border community’s in the south.

MAY 5, 2019 13:57

Israelis run for shelter as a siren sounds during a rocket attack near Yad Mordechai at the Israeli side of the Israel Gaza border July 14, 2018 (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS) — Israelis run for shelter as a siren sounds during a rocket attack near Yad Mordechai at the Israeli side of the Israel Gaza border July 14, 2018

(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

With 430 rockets fired at Israel from Gaza, there has been 150% increase of calls to Israeli trauma center, NATAL Israel trauma and Resiliency Center, as of Sunday morning.

Many of the calls are from parents living in the Gaza border communities in the south, seeking assistance and guidance for their children suffering from anxiety.

The Ministry of Health announced the opening of a trauma center in Ashdod, the center will be opened from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The clinic will provide care to patients from all health care providers.

With sometimes minute and more recently hourly sirens since Saturday, many Israelis are on alert. Rishon Lezion, a city outside of Tel Aviv, began opening its public shelters on Sunday morning. Generally, less affected than communities right near the Gaza border like Sderot, Rishon is some 40 kms away from the Gaza border.

"Following the expansion of the firing range, I ordered the opening of shelters to increase readiness, and for the safety of the residents of the city," said Rishon Lezion mayor Raz Kinstlich.

More than 200,000 children are home from school on Sunday, as classes were canceled in Southern Israel.

To reach NATAL's help line, it is available at 1800-363-363.