Haifa's Rambam hospital emerges from underground amid conflict

In northern Israel, in response to heightened security threats from Hezbollah, the Rambam Hospital in Haifa was relocated underground in September 2024. This move was necessitated by an escalation of conflicts, particularly following a fatal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which intensified the already precarious situation along the Israel-Lebanon border. The hospital's decision to shift operations underground was further influenced by sophisticated tactics from Israeli services that included detonation of booby-trapped devices held by Hezbollah, which occurred on September 22, 2024. The transition to underground facilities involved an extraordinary effort where medical staff swiftly converted the parking lot of the hospital, spanning 20,000 square meters, into a fully functional hospital capable of accommodating over 1,000 patients. The remodeling process was astonishingly completed in less than 72 hours. The hospital's delivery rooms and intensive care units were established in this previously unconventional setting, demonstrating emergency preparedness that evolved from systems designed during the Covid-19 pandemic but never before implemented on such a grand scale. For three months, the underground command center, which was equipped with advanced monitoring systems, allowed for real-time surveillance of national news and rocket launches along the border, affirming the hospital's role not merely as a health institution but also as a pivotal part of Israel's tactical response to threats. However, despite the return of operations above ground following a ceasefire declaration, many residents in surrounding localities remain hesitant to return home, revealing the persistent psychological impact of the conflict. The emergence of the hospital from underground represents a significant moment in a complex interplay of health management and security concerns in an area affected by ongoing strife. The reluctance of local residents to return, even after the cessation of hostilities, underscores the challenges in restoring normalcy in regions afflicted by violence, particularly in the long aftermath of such traumatic experiences.