Israeli Health Ministry Orders Northern Hospitals to Resume Full Aboveground Operations Amid Ceasefire

The Israeli Health Ministry has ordered northern hospitals to exit underground bunkers after 50 days of operating under fire as a ceasefire holds.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 8:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

The Transition to Surface Level Medical Care

The Israeli Health Ministry has officially authorized a significant shift in hospital operations across the country's northern region. Following updated directives from the Home Front Command, medical centers that have spent weeks operating in reinforced subterranean wards are now permitted to return to their standard aboveground facilities. This transition signifies a de-escalation in the immediate threat level, allowing healthcare providers to utilize their primary infrastructure for the first time in nearly two months.

Maintained Readiness for Rapid Re-entry

Despite the move back to surface-level operations, the Health Ministry has mandated that all northern facilities maintain a state of high alert. Under the current protocols, these hospitals must remain capable of relocating all critical services back to underground bunkers within a matter of hours. This dual-status approach ensures that while patient care can return to a more standard environment, the healthcare system is prepared for an immediate resumption of hostilities should the current ceasefire fail.

Commendation of Frontline Medical Resilience

Professor Masad Barhoum, the CEO of Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, addressed hospital personnel to acknowledge their performance during the 50-day period of underground operation. He described the staff's resilience as exemplary, noting that medical professionals continued to provide care while under the constant threat of fire along the front line. The recognition highlights the psychological and logistical strain placed on healthcare workers who have been living and working in protected zones for an extended duration.