Life in northern Israel has been upended due to intensified strikes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, prompting the Galilee Medical Center to relocate most of its operations underground. The hospital, situated near the border with Lebanon, has remained mostly empty above ground as patients and staff members have sought safety below. The hospital’s nerve center, previously bustling with doctors, orderlies, and patients, now lies hidden behind concrete barricades and blast doors, accessed through a labyrinthine subterranean complex. The hospital had been preparing for such a scenario for years, given its proximity to the border, and reduced its capacity to 30 percent in anticipation of accommodating new trauma patients.
The hospital’s underground operation is one of the most striking examples of the impact of the near-daily attacks by Hezbollah in solidarity with Hamas in the region. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been forced to evacuate while many businesses, schools, and factories have closed. On the Lebanon side of the border, tens of thousands more have fled their homes. The hospital’s director general, Dr. Masad Barhoum, emphasized the importance of protecting the people and expressed his dedication to preparing for such emergencies throughout his life. With the looming threat of attacks, the hospital’s executives made the decision to relocate the vast complex underground, ensuring the safety of patients and staff.
The hospital’s underground complex houses patients in a maze of halls, with visitors sitting in makeshift waiting rooms due to overcrowding. The neonatal intensive care unit, one of the first to move below ground, continues to provide care to infants with the challenge of remaining underground for an extended period. Dr. Vered Fleisher Sheffer, the unit’s director, recalls a similar relocation during Israel’s last war with Hezbollah in 2006, highlighting the recurring threats faced by the hospital. Despite feeling safer underground, the challenges of being separated from sunlight and confined to narrow tunnels are present for both patients and staff.
Hezbollah’s strikes have escalated tensions in the region, with recent attacks injuring soldiers and civilians in nearby villages. The Galilee Medical Center has been the primary destination for treating these casualties, with one soldier succumbing to injuries in the hospital’s ICU. Dr. Fleisher Sheffer noted the proximity of the hospital to Hezbollah militants, emphasizing the enduring presence of both groups in the border area. The hospital’s staff continues to provide care to patients amid the ongoing conflict, underscoring the resilience and dedication of healthcare workers in challenging circumstances.
The hospital’s internal medicine ward stands empty above ground, with the bustling activity now confined to the underground complex. The constant hum of hospital machinery and transportation carts echo through the tunnels, creating an engine room-like atmosphere. Patients receive care surrounded by tubes and wires dangling from the ceiling, showcasing the hospital’s adaptation to the underground environment. Visitors navigate through the maze of halls and makeshift waiting rooms, adjusting to the new reality of seeking medical care in a subterranean setting.
The Galilee Medical Center’s preparedness and quick response to the escalating conflict demonstrate the resilience of healthcare institutions in the face of adversity. The hospital’s staff, patients, and visitors have adjusted to the challenges of being underground, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in the midst of ongoing attacks. Driven by a sense of duty to protect the community, the hospital continues to provide essential medical services despite the disruptions caused by the conflict. As tensions persist in the region, the Galilee Medical Center remains a beacon of stability and care in a tumultuous environment.
