Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah mentioned Haifa as a potential target for missile strikes, which naturally worried its residents, according to Israeli media.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav told Israel’s public broadcaster that Hezbollah’s arsenal “is not the same as in the Second Lebanon War. They are very accurate missiles, and they are expected to fire 4,000 missiles at us every day.
“This is what we prepare our citizens for. However, we request you to prepare enough food and water because we expect you to stay in shelters and safe areas for four to six days,” he added.
Haifa is preparing for a possible attack: Rambam, the largest hospital in the north of the Hebrew state, is ready to accommodate up to two thousand patients. The underground car park now has all the capabilities to provide sanitary facilities. Operating theatres, maternity wards and medical supplies piled up in corners. But no patients — yet.
Rambam Medical Center excavated the bunker after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. It is usually a multi-story parking garage, but can be converted into a hospital within three days.
However, the problem is more extensive: according to the Israeli economic newspaper ‘The Marker’, the port of Haifa in the north of occupied Palestine and the nearest commercial gateway in the event of a war with the Tel Aviv regime are among the main targets of Hezbollah. According to the publication, the Israeli authorities to the port of Ashdod, which is located in the south of the occupied lands. They have struggled to develop emergency plans to redirect trade – however, importers of food, grains and feed animals are reluctant to tackle this solution. Because the city has precarious infrastructure and facilities.
Haifa is responsible for 75% of food imports to Israel by 2023, the release maintained, highlighting that closing the port would complicate business problems already recorded by Houthi attacks on the Israeli port of Eilat.
Jean Rhys is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.