Israeli health officials have begun transferring intensive care patients from northern hospitals to central medical centers, as reported by Mako News.
This "patient thinning" process, as it's being called, marks the first such mobilization since October 10th, when the region faced a heightened threat of conflict.
The transfers, confirmed by the Ministry of Health, are focused on critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and those in enhanced care units, often requiring ventilator support. These patients, according to sources, are being transported to major hospitals in central Israel, including Rambam, Sheba, and Ichilov.
Officials emphasize this is a proactive measure, not a mass evacuation. The goal is to free up resources and bed space in northern hospitals closest to potential conflict zones. Ziv Hospital in Safed, for example, has a significantly smaller ICU capacity compared to central institutions.
"This is a measured and selective process," a Ministry of Health spokesperson said. "We are nowhere near a mass evacuation scenario, but these preparations are crucial. The last time we saw patient transfers like this was during the early days of the October conflict."
The Ministry's official statement echoes this sentiment, highlighting the need to "ensure front-line hospitals are ready for any possible developments" in the north.