Israeli hospitals move critical operations underground amid conflict

Medical centers around Israel have switched to emergency mode according to Health Ministry directives and have moved critical patients and operations to underground complexes or are operating in protected spaces, hospitals say.

Dr. Oshrat Fono at Petah Tikva’s Beilinson issues a video from the hospital’s fortified ward, saying patients able to go home have been released, while most others have been moved there.

ד"ר אשרת פונו, סגנית מנהלת בילינסון, ואחראית על בית החולים בחירום שנפרס החל משעות הבוקר:
במתחם הממוגן של בית החולים, כפי שאתם רואים, זאת מחלקת טיפול נמרץ שלנו.
כ-60% מהמאושפזים שוחררו לביתם, חלקם לאשפוז ביתי.
40% מהנותרים: 70% כבר ירדו למתחמים המוגנים
ובמהלך השעות הקרובות… pic.twitter.com/0jiin4QXVp

— בית חולים בילינסון (@Beilinson_Heb) February 28, 2026

Children hospitalized in various departments at Schneider Children’s Medical Center were moved to a protected area.

At the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, all inpatient departments have been evacuated to the underground fortified hospitalization complex.

“All of our Medical Center staff reported promptly and in record numbers,” says Prof. Masad Barhoum, the hospital director. “We are prepared for every scenario and are taking all necessary measures to safeguard our patients and our teams.”

Hospitals say that only emergency patients should visit.