Israel orders hospitals underground after Iranian missile attack

Israel's Health Ministry early Monday ordered hospitals nationwide to relocate operations to underground and fortified facilities following Iranian missile barrages on northern Israel late Sunday, marking the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April.

Emergency directives

The ministry instructed medical centers to activate emergency procedures in coordination with the Israeli Home Front Command, according to Hebrew media reports. Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported that hospital administrators were told to mobilize additional personnel and prepare to discharge patients who could safely return home.

Regional escalation

Iran launched several missile barrages toward northern Israel late Sunday following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, which Tel Aviv said targeted a Hezbollah command and planning center. The bombardment broke a months-long lull in direct hostilities between the adversaries.

The April ceasefire had halted previous rounds of cross-border fire. The Health Ministry did not specify when hospitals might return to normal operations.