The northern Israeli city of Haifa is on heightened security measures as it faces an ongoing barrage of rocket fire from Lebanon, unleashed by the militant group Hezbollah.
Located just 40 kilometers south of the Lebanese border, Haifa, which boasts the country's busiest seaport and a metropolitan population of around one million, is recognized as a primary target for attacks.
"Haifa is the biggest city in the north. We understand that it will be the main strategic point of Hezbollah to shoot over here. Our main purpose here is to prepare the citizens of the city, a lot of explanations of what to do in case of emergency, in case of alarm," said Leonid Reznik, Head of Emergency Preparedness Department of Haifa Municipality.
Hundreds of public shelters are strategically located throughout the city, offering immediate refuge for residents when sirens warn of incoming rockets. The proximity to the border necessitates a swift response, with residents having only one minute to reach the nearest shelter after the alarm sounds.
"We can see that the people in Haifa are listening and doing exactly what the home front command is asking them to do. We are making a lot of explanations about the one minute that they have in case of their alarm and another 10 minutes to stay in the shelters," said Reznik.
Reznik added that during the last warning, debris from rockets fell within the city, prompting residents to seek shelter.
Haifa residents ordered to shelter in place as Hezbollah attacks continue
