The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital, announces a $10 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to support the construction of a state-of-the-art emergency underground hospital in Alrov Medical Tower, the new rehabilitation tower at Ichilov. The project aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the urgent need for protected medical space during emergencies, including missile and rocket attacks.
The hospital will be on the fifth floor below the tower, which is currently under construction. During normal operations, the underground floor will function as a parking lot, though it is designed to be converted into a fully operational emergency facility in less than 24 hours.
The underground space will be equipped to accommodate 250 beds, with the ability to expand by an additional 150 beds. It will feature advanced protective measures, including dual air-conditioning systems, a water reservoir protected from chemical and biological attacks, and fully protected oxygen and vacuum supply lines.
Helmsley funds will be used over the course of 24 months to support the construction costs of the building, including excavation, foundations and the fortification of the fifth floor. Installation of electromechanical systems, toilets, showers and nursing stations will also be supported. The Israeli Ministry of Health is additionally investing in the project.
The new facility will enhance the safety and treatment capacity of the Dana Dwek Children’s Hospital and future rehabilitation hospital to be located in the Alrov Medical Tower, ensuring that both children and adult patients have a secure place during critical situations.
In June, during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Ichilov and other medical centers across the country utilized their underground hospitals in full for the first time. At Ichilov, hundreds of patients were moved into the fortified underground facility for hospitalization. When a missile struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva, in Israel’s south, the necessity of fortified hospitals was demonstrated, as hundreds of patients and staff members were saved from harm thanks to their transfer to protected areas before the impact.
Helmsley’s substantial support, along with that of the Health Ministry, for the underground hospital will enable Ichilov to maintain operational continuity in central Israel during times of emergencies and mass-casualty events.
“Safety is the foundation of health and well-being for all communities,” said Sandor Frankel, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “We invest in fortifying key facilities like Ichilov because, unless we prioritize security, we cannot make permanent progress in expanding access to health care or improving the quality of health care in Israel.”
Professor Eli Sprecher, CEO of Ichilov, stated that “this state-of-the-art emergency underground hospital will provide a very important, secure space for care and treatment—not only for children at the Dana Dwek Children’s Hospital but for all patients who require protection in extreme situations. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which reflects our shared commitment to building a more resilient and prepared health-care system for Israel.”
About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the United States and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has granted more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes, including more than $700 million for grants in Israel. For more information about its programs, see: helmsleytrust.org.
