Deep below Jerusalem, Israeli doctors are preparing for the worst as tensions in the Middle East escalate. Sky News has been granted exclusive access to an underground hospital beneath the Herzog Medical Centre, where capacity is being expanded in anticipation of a potential increase in casualties.
Dr. Yehezkel Caine, a doctor at the facility, explained to Sky News that the underground hospital is equipped to withstand biological and chemical attacks, with an airlock featuring two sets of blast doors for added protection. The number of beds in the bunker has been increased to 350, with an additional 100 beds on the way.
In response to the heightened threat level, a new level of wards has been installed below the existing hospital, ready to accommodate patients in the event of an emergency. The hospital is prepared to receive patients from other facilities closer to the front lines if necessary.
The staff at the Herzog Medical Centre are conducting regular drills to ensure they are prepared for any scenario, including a potential all-out war with Hezbollah. The recent attacks by Hamas and Iran have heightened concerns for the safety of Israel’s civilian population.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the Herzog Medical Centre continues to provide specialized care, including ventilator treatment, psycho-trauma therapy, and geriatric rehabilitation. The hospital stands ready to evacuate patients to the underground bunkers in just a few hours if Jerusalem itself comes under attack.
As tensions in the region continue to escalate, the doctors at Jerusalem’s underground hospital remain vigilant and prepared for any eventuality, ready to provide critical care to those in need.