In Israel, concerns are rising about an escalation and revenge attacks from both Iran and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
Residents of northern Israel are being urged to stockpile water and canned goods, and hospitals are being prepared for widespread rocket attacks.
– We fear that the scenario will be very heavy shelling, says David Ranter, spokesperson at the Rambam hospital, to the TV4 News team on site.
Haifa is Israel’s most important port city and is only a few miles from the border with Lebanon. The city was heavily shelled in the last war between Israel and the Shia militia Hezbollah, which took place in 2006. Then the militia sent hundreds of rockets at the city.
For a few days, there has been a tense wait for a possible revenge action after the deadly attacks on two high-ranking leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom have close relations with Iran.
– We always keep an eye out for the north, says Gil Meller, spokesperson for the city of Haifa, to the TV4 News team on site.
Palestinians: “The fear is exaggerated”
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has said that Haifa residents are doing the best to prepare. The residents of the city are asked by Israel to stock up on water, canned food and make sure there is a regular radio and telephone at home.
– There is a tension, because we are waiting for something that is unknown. We don’t know when it’s going to happen, so we’re just making sure we’re prepared, says Gil Meller.
But many of Haifa’s Palestinian minority believe that the fear and anxiety are exaggerated.
– Israel does not take any responsibility, they make themselves victims. In the West Bank and Gaza, insecurity is great and there is a lot of terrorism going on. And it is carried out by Israel, says Sheren, who does not want to give his last name.
Hospitals are being remodeled
The Israeli healthcare system is also preparing for an escalation of the conflict. At the Rambam hospital, just a few miles north of Haifa, the parking garage has been rebuilt since the war in 2006. It is located underground and should be able to receive 2,000 patients in a short time, who should be able to be cared for even if the city is under fire.
– It will be a completely different situation. So we have to treat people in a different way and we have to work in a different way, says David Ranter who is a spokesperson at the hospital.
At the same time, there is hope that the worst possible scenario can be avoided.
– I hope that there will be no war, but that there will be a smaller conflict without civilian casualties on either side, says David Ranter to TV4 Nyheterna.