Have you ever wondered what happens in hospitals when sirens sound in Israel?

As the familiar sirens rang out across Israel in late February, Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem immediately put emergency plans into action, moving patients to safety in a fortified underground hospital, created to withstand missile strikes and maintain operations under all circumstances. Unflinching medical teams began to treat the wounded who were rushed to hospital, needing urgent care.

During this time, Hadassah played a critical role — treating multiple casualties from a barrage of rocket attacks, while continuing to care for thousands of patients each day. Hadassah also supported the surrounding communities, including Beit Shemesh when tragedy struck, ensuring that families, children, and injured patients received the treatment needed, all while under immense pressure.

These events underline the urgent need for hospitals to be fully prepared to respond at a moment’s notice. Hadassah UK, the British charity supporting Hadassah Hospital, is working to ensure the hospital has the infrastructure and equipment required to act quickly whenever a crisis strikes.

Hadassah is activating a protected underground emergency treatment ward with 40 emergency beds, as well as six fully equipped operating rooms to increase its life-saving surgical capacity. Strengthened emergency reserves will ensure uninterrupted care in an underground location during an active attack.

This initiative is essential to ensure continuity of care in a safe environment and to enable Hadassah’s clinical teams to be prepared with the infrastructure ready – all while safeguarding the youngest and most vulnerable patients – strengthening Israel’s frontline medical response for the future.

The Hadassah Medical Organisation is one of Israel’s most important hospitals and a globally respected centre for medical innovation, clinical excellence and humanitarian healthcare.

For more than a century Hadassah has played a transformative role in advancing medicine, treating patients from all communities and contributing to scientific discoveries that benefit people around the world. Located in Jerusalem, the hospital reflects the diversity of the city itself, bringing together patients and medical professionals from many different backgrounds united by a shared commitment to saving lives.

Hadassah UK exists to strengthen this extraordinary institution through philanthropy, partnerships and advocacy in the United Kingdom. By connecting British supporters with Hadassah’s groundbreaking medical work, the charity helps ensure that life-saving treatment, pioneering research and humanitarian healthcare continue to flourish in Jerusalem.

hadassahuk.org