Inside bomb shelters built half a century ago in Israel

When it comes to Israel's defense system, we often think of famous air defense systems such as Iron Dome, Arrow, David's Sling and the latest Iron Beam. Such multi-layered systems are necessary because Israel is a narrow strip of land with an area of ​​just over 22 thousand km², which does not allow the Israelis to have large areas of land to take refuge. Therefore, any threat flying towards Israel needs to be intercepted from the air.

But the air defense system can still be overwhelmed if it encounters a massive attack, so Israel also builds shelters for people to take refuge in emergency situations. In addition to the air defense system, the people of this country have quite a lot of confidence in the shelter system that has protected them for decades.

Israel is always on alert for a potential attack. So many measures are taken on a regular basis, from stockpiling blood in fortified underground centers to thoroughly checking bomb shelters and water supplies.

Outside a shelter in Holon, 12km from Tel Aviv.

Israel's bomb shelter system dates back 50 years. The network was built to protect civilians from aerial bombing and has been continuously improved over the years.

Cities in Israel began building underground public shelters in the 1970s. Their importance was demonstrated in 1991 when Israel suffered a series of Scud missiles hitting Tel Aviv and Haifa, prompting the country to pass a law requiring bomb shelters in all new buildings.

Living room in a basement.

Office combined with gym.

Today, 65 percent of Israelis have access to a bomb shelter in or near their homes. These shelters are made of reinforced concrete with heavy metal doors and can withstand the blasts and shrapnel from rocket attacks.

Music room in the basement.

The existing infrastructure would protect Israelis from long-range missile attacks , as it was designed to defend against Scud missiles. But about a third of Israelis, especially those living in low-income areas or older housing, still do not have immediate access to a shelter because their buildings were built long before the 1992 shelter regulation.

Gate to a rural shelter.

In apartment buildings, the shelter is built so solidly that it can still stand as a separate 'fortress' even if the upper part of the building collapses.

In Tel Aviv alone, there are 168 underground public bomb shelters, and if you count the shelters in schools and public buildings, there are 356 in total. Tel Aviv's website and signage clearly show where the shelters are and how to get there.

Google Maps in Israel shows bomb shelter locations without having to search.

More than just a blank slate, these shelters must be equipped with basic amenities such as bathrooms, kitchens, showers, and air filtration systems, and some even have Wi-Fi in case the shelter lasts for days or months. In general, the shelter is exactly like a regular room, except for the solid doors. A public shelter is about 80 square meters in size and can accommodate up to 200 people.

In the northern coastal city of Haifa, public bomb shelters are equipped with digital systems for remote unlocking and generators to ensure continuous operation. Haifa's Rambam Hospital has prepared a three-story underground treatment facility in case of attack.

Despite the tense situation, daily life in many Israeli cities continues as normal. Summer activities for children are still going on and grocery stores are well stocked. Public gatherings are also not restricted and many bomb shelters remain locked – unless the siren sounds.

The time people have to get to a shelter varies depending on their location. In central Israel, for example, people have 1-1.5 minutes to get to a shelter after hearing the sirens. Near Gaza and the Golan Heights, people have just 10-15 seconds to find shelter. The most 'relaxed' place is the southern Negev desert, where people have 3 minutes.

Residents are advised to stock up on food, water, medicine and medical supplies for several days in their private or shared shelters. Public shelters do not have food (as food does not last long) and are only equipped with emergency water supplies.

The combination of advanced air defense technology and a robust network of bomb shelters is a key element in Israel's strategy to protect against missile attacks. Bomb shelters are the most basic line of defense and have become an indispensable part of daily life in Israel.