Israel’s prolonged war has demonstrated the critical need for protected hospital infrastructure capable of providing uninterrupted medical care during missile and drone attacks. During recent national emergencies, Herzog Medical Center successfully relocated more than 300 medically complex patients—including ventilated adults and children—into its existing Sheltered Underground Emergency Hospital. Recognizing Herzog’s unique capabilities, Israel’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense and Home Front Command designated Herzog a National Strategic Medical Facility, enabling it to receive critically ill patients transferred from hospitals throughout the country during times of war.
To strengthen Israel’s emergency preparedness, Herzog is planning to construct two new fully protected underground hospital floors beneath the future Samson Educational and Administrative Building. The expansion will increase Herzog’s protected hospital capacity from approximately 320 to 700 beds, adding approximately 380 protected beds. Of these, 180 will serve Herzog patients, while another 200 will provide reserve capacity for patients transferred from other hospitals during national emergencies.
Designed for use in both peace and war, the new protected floors will serve Herzog’s expanding medical and educational mission during routine operations while remaining ready for rapid conversion into fully operational hospital wards during emergencies. Current plans include a specialized Geriatric Emergency Department and a Medical Simulation Training Center, ensuring that this vital investment serves patients every day while strengthening Israel’s healthcare resilience for the future.