Israel's ambulance service has stocked blood in a fortified underground center. Factories have moved hazardous materials out. Municipal authorities are checking bomb shelters and water supplies as Israel steps up preparations for a possible attack by Iran and its proxies.

In particular, over the past 10 days, Israel has stepped up preparations as fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon threatens to escalate into a full-scale regional war.

Speaking on August 7 at a meeting with new recruits, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "I know that the people of Israel are on alert, and I ask you one thing - be patient and calm. We are prepared for both defense and attack."

Israel is now facing the threat of a multi-front conflict, confronting multiple military movements: Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi and possibly militant groups in Iraq.

Israel is expected to come under attack in the coming days following claims by Iran and Hezbollah of retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut last week.

After months of alarm, tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from northern areas within range of Hezbollah’s rockets. However, Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal could reach deeper into Israel to sensitive targets such as the northern port city of Haifa.

The city's Rambam Hospital has been on alert since last October and has prepared a three-story underground facility to treat patients. "We're waiting to see what happens," said hospital spokesman David Ratner.

The military is also on high alert. Air raid sirens and text messages were increased in the target areas over the weekend. Many local councils have advised people to reduce non-essential activities, stay close to protected areas and avoid large gatherings.

In Haifa, public bomb shelters have been digitally equipped so they can be unlocked remotely in the event of an attack, according to Yair Zilberman, the city’s director of security and emergency services. They are also equipped with generators. Several underground parking lots have been approved as temporary shelters, with space for thousands of residents if needed.

In the central Israeli city of Ramla, the national ambulance service Magen David Adom (MDA) has been storing donated blood in an underground center protected by thick concrete walls, blast doors and air chambers.

On August 1, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection organized an assessment of the situation to decide how best to protect factories with inventories from the risk of missile attacks, or how to respond to an attack on a building containing asbestos.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)