Health Minister Yaakov Litzman and heads of the Health Ministry met with heads of the nation’s kupot cholim (HMOs) and other relevant officials to discuss the security crisis in Israel today.

It was decided to move to level 2 operations in all of the nation’s hospitals, and all the hospitals must comply as of today, Tuesday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. This includes:

· Making certain the medical intuition is prepared for level 2 operations, from an equipment, personnel and logistics point of view.

· Establishing contact with relevant agencies including Israel Police, IDF Homefront Command, local community leaders, suppliers and make sure all relevant personnel are familiar with level 2 operations.

· Review of and familiarization with all hospital emergency protocols.

· Inspecting and verifying the integrity of all equipment and infrastructure.

· Making certain decision-makers are present in the hospital around-the-clock.

The ministry also launched a psychological support hotline for those seeking assistance. This will operate out of Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center. One may phone from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

All HMOs will launch a hotline to assist persons with psychological trauma and these lines will operate around-the-clock.

· Clalit: *2700

· Maccabi: *3555

· Leumit: *507

· Meuchedet: *3833

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)