Israel's Ministry of Health today held a headquarters-level earthquake exercise simulating a mass-casualty scenario with tens of thousands of injured, infrastructure damage, power outages, and disrupted access routes. The drill, run jointly with the National Emergency Management Authority (RACHEL), tested the National Health Command's coordination with all emergency and rescue bodies. The exercise continues tomorrow with additional functions and a supreme hospitalization authority discussion. Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov said preparing for an earthquake is one of the health system's most complex challenges, emphasizing the need to ensure continuous life-saving care even under extreme scenarios.
The Ministry of Health conducted a headquarters earthquake drill today (Monday) at the National Health Command, simulating a scenario involving tens of thousands of casualties, damaged infrastructure, power outages, and blocked transport routes. The exercise was run jointly with the National Emergency Management Authority (RACHEL) and drew on broad staff work carried out at the Ministry over recent months, as well as lessons from recent emergency events.
The drill activated the National Health Command and tested all professional components against a mass-casualty extreme scenario. In remarks released by the Ministry, Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov described earthquake preparedness as one of the most complex challenges facing the health system, calling the exercise part of an ongoing process to strengthen national readiness. Deputy Director General Dr. Sefi Mendelovich said this is the first phase in a series of exercises, with lessons to be expanded to the entire health system.
The exercise continues tomorrow with additional functions, including a supreme hospitalization authority meeting. As The Zioneer previously reported, the Ministry ordered hospitals to transition to fortified emergency protocols in June. The current drill tests a different scenario — natural disaster — but follows the same institutional emphasis on emergency medical continuity.
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- Internal intake