Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon Underground
Lea Malul at Barzilai on Sunday, December 28th reported to Tamar Boussi, president of Portland Ashkelon Sister City Association, and she explained their situation--they have had around 10-12 casualities nearly everyday and are swamped. The article below explains some of their preparation.
Fear of Rockets Sends Israeli Hospital Underground by Aron Heller
Wary of a missile strike from nearby Gaza, Ashkelon's Barzilai Hospital has moved its most essential departments into an underground bomb shelter. In February a rocket from Gaza landed adjacent to the hospital's helicopter pad and in May a rocket crashed into a busy shopping mall in the city, injuring 14 people. On Saturday, Barzilai relocated the most vulnerable departments and placed its least mobile patients - such as those in the geriatric, infant and maternity wards - underground. On Sunday, two rockets fell in Ashkelon itself and another 22 in the surrounding district, as warning sirens sent doctors, patients and guests rushing for cover several times. In Barzilai's underground children's ward, sick Gazans lay alongside sick Israelis. Dr. Ron Lobel, the hospital's deputy director, said that his facility had close ties with Gaza's Shifa hospital, and accepted many of its patients who need treatment the Gazan hospital cannot provide. (AP)
Reference: from Tamar Boussi, Portland, OR