The rains are expected to continue on Thursday. By the afternoon – and particularly tomorrow – precipitation will intensify significantly, bringing a high risk of flooding. Localized rainfall is possible in the southern Negev. There is a serious concern regarding flash floods in the streams of the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the northern Arava. A severe flood warning is in effect for the coastal plain and the Shfela (lowlands). Winds will be brisk, and temperatures will dip below the seasonal average.

Video: Storm Byron in Israel / Credit: Omri Zinger, Moshe Ben Simchon

Minute by minute – all the updates

1:40 p.m. | A tree collapsed in the courtyard of an educational institution in Rishon LeZion. Magen David Adom teams provided medical treatment and evacuated two approximately 10-year-old girls in mild condition with head injuries to Shamir-Assaf Harofeh Hospital.

1:30 p.m. | Magen David Adom teams were dispatched in the last half hour to several locations in the Shfela (lowlands), where vehicles became trapped in floodwaters. Rescue units are currently assisting with extraction efforts and stand ready to provide medical treatment if required.

Video: Yavne floods on Dec. 11, 2025 / Credit: Usage under Article 27a of Israel's intellectual property law

1:22 p.m. | Floodwaters have inundated King George Street in Tel Aviv.

1:15 p.m. | Footage from the Gaza Strip shows the collapse of a four-story building in the al-Nasr neighborhood of western Gaza City.

12:20 p.m. | Intense rainfall has lashed the Shfela (lowlands) in recent hours, with flooding recorded in cities including Rehovot. Rishon LeZion recorded 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) of rain in just three hours. Heavy rains persist along the northern coast, raising concerns of flooding near Zichron Yaakov. These heavy rains will continue along the coastal plain – specifically the southern coast and the lowlands – before spreading inland. Flash floods are expected in the Dead Sea streams throughout the day.

Video: Gaza building collapses during Storm Byron / Dec. 11, 2025

11:50 a.m. | Heavy fog has been reported in Daliyat al-Karmel.

10:50 a.m. | Interim Summary – High daily rainfall totals were measured this morning, primarily in the Carmel and Carmel Coast regions. Because this area also received significant precipitation at the start of the current system, cumulative totals there are far higher than in the rest of the country.

In the Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve, 205 millimeters (8 inches) have accumulated since Saturday, with 94 millimeters (3.7 inches) falling in the last 24 hours alone. Atlit recorded 193 millimeters (7.6 inches) over the past three days, including 93 millimeters (3.7 inches) in the last day. Storm-level totals of 130-150 millimeters (5.1-5.9 inches) were recorded in Haifa and the Carmel, while the coastal plain north of Haifa and the northern Sharon region saw 100-120 millimeters (3.9-4.7 inches).

Video: Tel Aviv flooding on King George Street / Credit: Adi Nirman

Additionally, highly developed cloud formations moved over the area in the last 24 hours, bringing reports of hail. Today, the weather map will finally balance out as northwesterly winds drive the main rain clouds toward the center and south of the country.

Rainfall in central and southern Israel is expected to intensify. Within less than 24 hours, accumulations of 50-100 millimeters (2-4 inches) – and locally even more – are possible in the central and southern coastal plain. Heavy rain is also forecast for the central mountains, with a high probability of flash floods in the Judean Desert and northern Negev.

10:15 a.m. | Flooding and rain from Storm Byron reported in Gaza – civilians were seen attempting to navigate flooded roads.

9:30 a.m. | A 53-year-old man was found lifeless in Netanya with signs of hypothermia following the cold weather.

8:30 a.m. | Rainfall records for the last 48 hours according to the Israel Meteorological Service: Ein Carmel 165 millimeters (6.5 inches), Haifa Technion 139.7 millimeters (5.5 inches), Zichron Ya'akov 112.6 millimeters (4.4 inches), Shavei Zion 104.8 millimeters (4.1 inches), Nahariya 99.9 millimeters (3.9 inches).

7:57 a.m. | The Haifa and Carmel areas are leading the accumulated precipitation amounts over the last two days with 160–170 millimeters (6.3–6.7 inches), and 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) in the last 12 hours.

From the afternoon hours, the rains will enter the central and southern coast with strong rainfall intensity and dozens of millimeters of accumulation. The heavy rains will continue until the evening hours at least.

5:45 a.m. | Starting this morning (Thursday), temperatures will drop below the seasonal average. Rain accompanied by thunderstorms will fall intermittently from northern Israel to the northern Negev, with light rain possible in the southern Negev. Furthermore, there is a risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert, Dead Sea, and northern Arava streams, and a severe risk of urban flooding along the Coastal Plain and in the Shfela (Lowlands). Strong wind gusts are likely.

11:08 p.m. | Municipalities across the country have raised their alert level to "full storm protocol" in anticipation of the weather system. Operational units specializing in drainage, infrastructure, enforcement, and security have been reinforced and placed on standby to handle flooding, road blockages, and debris removal. Pumping crews and heavy engineering equipment have been deployed, underground passage systems inspected, and municipal call centers are operating on an emergency footing. The public is urged to avoid crossing flooded roads on foot or by vehicle, to secure loose objects susceptible to strong winds, and to avoid entering basements or underground parking garages during flood events.

10:24 p.m. | Update from Netivei Israel (National Transport Infrastructure Company): Road 40 has been closed to traffic in both directions from Tzihor Junction to the entrance of Mitzpe Ramon due to flooding.

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From yesterday through this morning, approximately 60-70 millimeters (2.4-2.8 inches) have fallen in the Zikhron Yaakov, Haifa, and Carmel region. Zikhron Yaakov leads the national rainfall table with 77 millimeters (3 inches) so far. Ein Carmel has recorded 68 millimeters (2.7 inches) and Haifa 60 millimeters (2.4 inches). In Zikhron Yaakov, a shuttle carrying children became stuck in an underpass. All were rescued without injury.

During the night, the rains advanced to central Israel and concentrated in Gush Dan (the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area). About 35-40 millimeters (1.4-1.6 inches) have fallen in Tel Aviv so far, and about 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) in Ashdod. Jerusalem has recorded 10.8 millimeters (0.4 inches), Safed 15.3 millimeters (0.6 inches), Beersheba 3.6 millimeters (0.1 inches), and Sodom 0 millimeters.

Rain will continue today, intensifying in the afternoon and especially on Thursday, with flooding forecast.

In the southern Negev, there may be local rain. There is concern about flash floods in the wadis of the Judea Desert, the Dead Sea, and northern Arava. There is serious concern about flooding along the coastal plain and in the Shfela. Strong winds will blow. Temperatures will be lower than normal for the season. Snow will fall on the summit of Mount Hermon.

Stay nourished, seal the house, and visit the elderly: Health Ministry instructions

The Health Ministry has published preparedness instructions for the health system for the stormy weather. Hospitals and health funds have been instructed to prepare in order to continue providing medical services as required. Additionally, the ministry is calling on elderly populations, as well as parents of infants and young children, to prepare accordingly and take several important actions to avoid health damage.

• While staying at home: Maintain activity and movement to increase blood flow and body heat.
• Heating: Heat the home at a constant temperature of approximately 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), not lower than 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and ensure air humidity in the room to avoid dry air.
• Properly seal home openings (windows, doors, etc.).
• Drinking: In sufficient quantity (8-10 glasses of beverages per day, unless there is an explicit medical restriction). Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
• Meals: Maintain relatively light meals at frequent intervals (5-6 per day) and avoid heavy meals. Hot beverages and food help maintain body heat.

Cases in which to consult with the treating physician: Taking medications that may increase sensitivity to cold (medications that affect alertness such as sleeping pills, antidepressants, certain pain medications, etc.), as well as health conditions that may increase risk from cold (heart disease where cold creates overload on heart function, lung disease, in people with cognitive decline/dementia who have difficulty caring for themselves, etc.).

Elderly people living alone: Maintain contact and ensure home visits by family members, friends, neighbors, or volunteers - at least once a day. To identify hypothermia in an elderly person, check if the home is cold and the elderly person is less active than usual.

It should be noted that in the initial stages of hypothermia - there may be difficulty identifying the problem: a person suffering from cold may not shiver and may not complain of feeling cold, and temperature measurement with a home thermometer may not identify the problem - since it is designed to measure fever.

If there is suspicion of hypothermia, based on cold skin contact, change in skin color, decreased alertness, confused state, changes in breathing, etc. - medical help should be summoned immediately.

The post Coastal Israel braces for flooding as Storm Byron breaks rainfall records appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The former German leader, who was Israel's most important ally in Europe during her long tenure spanning 4 terms from 2005 to 2021, toured the Nova site Wednesday alongside Gail Shoresh, from the Dvora Forum that promotes women's equality, receiving explanations about sexual atrocities committed by Hamas some two years ago during the massive attack on the Gaza border communities, with German Ambassador Steffen Seibert sharing her visit on social media. Nahal Oz resident Amir Tibon also shared with Merkel his unique ordeal, retelling the story of how he managed to survive after terrorists invaded his kibbutz and started slaughtering and kidnapping residents.

Oct 7 revisited: Angela Merkel met Gail Shoresh of Project Dvora at the Nova site who explained about sexual violence on that terrible day. And @amirtibon showed her the room in Nahal Oz where he and his family hid for 10 hours and survived. pic.twitter.com/gDLbc3kCRs

— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) November 12, 2025

"Oct 7 revisited: Angela Merkel met Gail Shoresh at the Nova site who explained about sexual violence on that terrible day," Seibert wrote.

"Tibon showed her the room in Nahal Oz where he and his family hid for 10 hours and survived," he continued. Tibon, who lives in Nahal Oz with his wife and children, was rescued after his father, former IDF Major General Noam Tibon, rushed to the south with his wife to help fight against the Hamas terrorists who had invaded his kibbutz and other locations in the area. 

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received an honorary degree from @WeizmannScience, praising Israeli and German scientists who were the first to build new bridges between our peoples after the Shoah. Amid anti-scientific tendencies worldwide she spoke for science-based politics. pic.twitter.com/smSGbhcwcN

— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) November 11, 2025

During her visit this week , Weizmann Institute of Science conferred an honorary degree upon Merkel, who delivered remarks praising Israeli and German scientists as the first to construct new bridges between the two peoples following the Holocaust, the German Ambassador wrote. Speaking amid worldwide anti-scientific tendencies, the former chancellor advocated for science-based politics during the ceremony, Seibert noted.

The beauty of „attosekundenschnelle Rastertunnelmikroskopie" - former Chancellor Merkel firmly in her element visiting @TechnionLive in Haifa - world class science flourishing through diversity and international cooperation. pic.twitter.com/pKMOOJdv2p

— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) November 11, 2025

The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa received a visit from Merkel as well, with the German Ambassador describing world-class science flourishing through diversity and international cooperation at the institution. The former chancellor appeared firmly in her element exploring "attosekundenschnelle Rastertunnelmikroskopie" during the tour, according to Seibert's social media posts.

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On October 7, the terrorist attack on the Nova festival site in Re'im began, and the terrorists started to overrun the area and massacre the partygoers. Inbar and her friends hid beneath the stage at the festival. During the assault, in an attempt to save themselves, they ran toward the fields, with terrorists pursuing them, and they were forced to separate from one another. Inbar was captured by two terrorists who placed her on a motorcycle and abducted her to Gaza. A video of her being transported to Gaza while unconscious was even circulated on that Saturday.

"Talented creator"

Inbar's nickname as a graffiti artist was 'Pink,' and her abduction and murder prompted many artists in Israel and across the world to hold protests calling for her release. The nickname "Pink," according to her friends, symbolizes her favorite color, pink. Her friends and relatives spoke consistently about a talented creator, a painter, and an artist.

Since her abduction, her family waged a campaign for the return of her body for burial in Israel. The phrase that guided the fight was "I am also a woman, bring me back too," stemming from the policy to return women and children first in previous hostage exchange deals.

Yifat Hayman, Inbar's mother, previously stated in the Knesset, "All I ask is to kiss her. Every possible effort must be made to bring them. Because what could happen, God forbid, is that they will disappear in the streets of Gaza. All the deceased, God forbid, could vanish. And I will not even speak, God forbid, about the living, who could be murdered. After they abandoned my daughter, I expect the Government of Israel to do everything to bring her back by any available means."

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The move comes less than a decade after its acquisition of Israeli-based Mellanox, also in northern Israel, which transformed the entire AI industry and made the AI revolution possible.

Industry sources told Reuters that the project could cost billions of dollars and create thousands of jobs. The world's most valuable company by market capitalization has set a July 23 deadline for offers to build its campus of up to 180,000 square meters (1.94 million square feet).

Officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that Nvidia received "dozens and dozens and dozens" of offers from municipalities and other entities, not all located near Haifa. The company's current Israeli operations are based in Yokne'am, situated near the northern port city of Haifa, where numerous technology companies maintain facilities.

Nvidia acquired its Israel presence in 2020 through the purchase of Mellanox Technologies for nearly $7 billion. The company has since expanded its workforce dramatically, nearly tripling in size since the acquisition. According to Reuters, sources indicated that Mellanox contributed $13 billion in revenue to Nvidia last year, though the company has not confirmed this figure.

The Haifa municipality expressed confidence in its bid for the new campus. Officials told Reuters that they are "currently busy preparing an attractive offer for the company" and believe they represent "the city with the best potential for them."

The expansion comes as major technology companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Tesla compete to build AI data centers and dominate the emerging technology sector. This competition has led to a surge in demand for Nvidia's high-end processors, driving the company's remarkable growth trajectory.

One source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Israel's expertise was "extremely important to the AI era" and that Nvidia needed to expand rapidly to meet demand. The company now employs 5,000 workers in Israel and has made several additional acquisitions in the country over recent years.

Nvidia has also constructed Israel's most powerful AI supercomputer, which served as a blueprint for Elon Musk's Colossus supercomputer. The facility demonstrates the company's commitment to maintaining cutting-edge infrastructure in the region.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, described the planned campus as massive and capable of housing "a few thousand employees." He told Reuters that "Nvidia sees its operation in Israel as something which is going to stay here for a very long time and to expand here."

"This declaration is a sign of confidence in Israel," Bin added, according to Reuters.

The expansion announcement comes as rival Intel faces challenges in the region. Intel, which has operated in Israel since 1974 and employs 9,350 workers, has begun trimming its workforce globally. Israeli media reported that several hundred workers in Israel are being made redundant, though a local spokesperson declined to comment on specific numbers.

The spokesperson only referenced Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's April comments that the company was "taking steps to become a leaner, faster and more efficient company," according to Reuters.

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A study conducted at the University of Haifa and published in the journal PLOS One presents direct evidence of tools used to produce the prestigious purple dye during the Iron Age, between 1100–600 BCE, partly corresponding to the First Temple period.

The evidence includes large pottery basins stained with dye, grinding stones, and additional tools used in the process. The findings allow researchers to reconstruct the stages of dye production and understand how dyeing workshops operated at the site. "This is the first time we can reconstruct the form of the vessels used in the purple dye industry and how they were used in the production and dyeing process," Dr. Golan Shalvi said, who led the research on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa and the University of Chicago, together with Professor Ayelet Gilboa from the University of Haifa.

Tel Shiqmona, located on the coast of Haifa, was one of the important production centers for purple dye, a rare and prestigious color used by kings, nobility, and temples throughout the Levant. The site served as a purple production center under the control of the Kingdom of Israel during the Omride and Jehu dynasties, and was apparently the largest of its kind in the region. The research findings indicated that this dye was produced at the site in commercial quantities, transferred to neighboring countries, and perhaps even used to dye fabrics used in the Temple in Jerusalem.

The findings discovered in the current research at Tel Shiqmona provide direct evidence of the extensive scope of the purple dye production industry. Dozens of large pottery basins were uncovered, which were apparently used to produce the dye and dye threads or fleeces. Reconstruction of the vessels reveals they were about 3.28 feet tall, had a volume of about 92.5 gallons, and their diameter ranged between 1.97 and 2.62 feet – dimensions that allowed for immersion of whole wool fleeces.

Data analysis indicates that the use of these basins enabled a particularly efficient and continuous work process. "For the first time, we are identifying a complete production system in which significant quantities of purple dye were produced in dedicated vessels," Professor Gilboa said. "The fact that in certain periods at least 16 basins were used simultaneously indicates that Shiqmona was a production center on an exceptional scale for its time."

Comparing the data to additional sites, including Tel Dor, Tel Kabri, and Sarepta in southern Lebanon, shows that similar production methods existed at other sites along the Levantine coast. However, Tel Shiqmona provides the earliest and most detailed evidence of the production process over the longest time span in the Iron Age, strengthening its importance as a central production site during this period. These findings contribute to understanding the economic and technological connections between the Kingdom of Israel and neighboring kingdoms, and allow comparison to additional production methods that developed throughout the Levant.

"The discovery of vessels used to produce purple dye is not merely a technical matter. It provides new insights into the scale of the industry, the extent of luxury goods trade, and background for the initiative and economic strengthening of the Kingdom of Israel, which became a significant power in the region. This is part of the background to the Bible stories reflecting the power of the Kingdom of Israel," Dr. Shalvi explained.

The research was funded by the Shelby White and Leon Levy Foundation, Haifa Municipality, the Hecht Foundation, the Israel Science Foundation, the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. The article was written by Golan Shalvi from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa and the University of Chicago, as well as by a large group of researchers from universities in Israel and worldwide.

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A political firestorm has ignited in Israel after the mother of the fallen Christian soldier, Staff Sergeant David Bogdanovsky, discovered his grave had been covered with a black cloth, obscuring a cross on the tombstone, during a funeral for a Jewish soldier who was being buried beside him. The incident has drawn sharp rebuke from politicians and advocacy groups, who condemned it as discrimination against non-Jewish soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Knesset member Meir Cohen called on Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the Ministry of Defense to address this issue: "This black cloth is a dark stain on Israeli society. IDF soldiers of all faiths fight side by side and, tragically, also fall together. I urge you to take immediate action, starting with a public apology and reaching out to the bereaved family. It is imperative that we take decisive steps to safeguard the honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and protect the dignity of their families. I demand to know if the covering of David's grave was sanctioned and whether similar incidents have occurred with other fallen soldiers' graves."

The Christian Voice Association, an organization supporting Christian soldiers, has reached out to Haifa's mayor, advocating for the establishment of a memorial site dedicated to fallen soldiers from the Christian community. The association's leadership stated, "This incident, which reeks of racism and exclusion towards the Christian family and community, is utterly unacceptable and contradicts the values upheld by the IDF, the State of Israel, and Israeli society at large. We expect state institutions, particularly public officials in Haifa Municipality and the defense establishment, to implement all necessary measures to prevent such occurrences in the future and to unequivocally condemn racism and discrimination in any form. As an organization committed to fostering unity and equality between the Christian community and all Israeli citizens, we insist on a thorough investigation of this incident, full accountability, and a public apology to both the family and the entire Christian community."

The distraught mother of the fallen soldier, Julia, shared an emotional post on Facebook: "This is a message of sorrow, resentment, and profound disappointment. Today, as I do every day, I visited Davidushka to light a candle and spend time with him. I was horrified to find they had placed a black cloth over my David, my hero, a hero of the State of Israel, concealing his tombstone and the cross. Words fail to express the humiliation I experienced. I always believed that my David, who sacrificed his life for this country, who loved it with every fiber of his being, who enlisted to protect me, his family, and all of us, was no different from other young men and certainly not a second-class citizen."

She continued: "I stood there, weeping. I didn't remove that black cloth out of respect for other parents' feelings, understanding the pain that resides in the hearts of every mother, father, sister, and brother. I had no desire to turn the ceremony into a battleground. I don't interfere with the tombstones of other children, so who granted you the right to touch my precious son? I am devastated, I am in tears, I am crying out in anguish. This is not the Jewish people I came to love."

The Peled family, who held a memorial service nearby for Staff Sergeant Amit Peled, a soldier in the Egoz Unit who fell in battle on Black Saturday, clarified their position: "We were deeply shocked to learn about this incident through the media. We had no knowledge of the grave covering. We hold the utmost respect and honor for the memory of Staff Sergeant David Bogdanovsky, who rests beside our son, and we share in the grief of his family and all families who have lost loved ones in defense of our country, regardless of their faith or community. Our hearts ache for the additional sorrow and pain inflicted upon his family."

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The phrase "Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe in a week" echoes the tense anticipation among Israelis waiting for Iran's response to the assassinations of Hezbollah's chief of staff in Beirut and Hamas's political leader in Tehran. While the enemy completes its preparations for a possible attack, Haifa - marked by Hezbollah as a primary target - prepares for the worst-case scenario: extensive rocket fire of about a thousand rockets per day over an extended period, alongside barrages of precision missiles and explosive drones.

Two months ago, Hezbollah's media arm released footage of Haifa and the Krayot area taken from the terror organization's reconnaissance drone. The footage included the Haifa Naval Base, missile ships, the Rafael defense company plant, Iron Dome installations, rocket storage sites, and other military facilities, along with large civilian shopping centers and densely populated neighborhoods. As part of its preparations, the IDF reinforced air defenses in the area. Additionally, measures were implemented to disrupt location services, complicating navigation in Haifa as much as they hinder Hezbollah's ability to precisely target sites in Carmel and its surroundings.

For many years, the ammonia tank of Haifa Chemicals was a prime target for Hezbollah. In 2016, on the anniversary of the death of Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah's military chief and the organization's "number 2," Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah publicly declared, "The ammonia tank is our atomic bomb." According to assessments, a direct hit on the tank could have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Haifa and Krayot residents.

The tank, which held approximately 12,000 tons of ammonia, was exposed to potential direct hits. However, after a long struggle and following decisions by the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, it was finally closed in September 2017 and relocated to southern Israel. Nevertheless, residents of the Haifa Bay area cannot breathe a sigh of relief quite yet, as ammonia was not the only danger: About 2.5 million tons of around 1,500 hazardous materials, including bromine, chlorine, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and ethylene, are still stored there, posing a substantial potential risk during wartime.

The IDF is likely aware of the extent of the danger. At the beginning of the month, the Home Front Command's Northern Headquarters instructed factories within the rocket fire range from Lebanon to empty their ammonia and hazardous materials stocks. One of these factories is Unilever's Strauss ice cream plant in Acre, which had to halt ice cream production due to the cessation of ammonia use. Another 27 factories within 40 kilometers of the border were instructed to minimize the amount of hazardous materials they store. According to the information we have, other factories at similar distances from the border have not received such instructions.

Haifa Municipality's Security and Emergency Services Department recently completed the installation of a system enabling the remote opening of all public shelters in the city in case of emergency. Simultaneously, the municipality is preparing for scenarios of prolonged power outages by installing generators in public and school shelters. So far, more than thirty generators have been installed, ensuring continuous electricity supply even during extended outages. Wireless routers have also been installed in underground parking lots designated as emergency shelters for residents.

Two Scenarios

It is not easy for Haifa residents to forget the harsh precedent of the Second Lebanon War when Hezbollah launched hundreds of heavy rockets at the city. The name of the "HaShmona" train station in the lower city commemorates the most tragic event in the city during that war—a deadly rocket strike that killed eight workers in the railway's maintenance garage.

At that time, Nasrallah coined the phrase "Baada Baada Haifa" ("Beyond, beyond Haifa"). While he may have intended to emphasize the word "beyond," he still mentioned "Haifa." This time, too, the city might find itself at the center of a prolonged missile attack.

It is difficult to predict which target in the city Hezbollah might choose, but Tal Berry, head of the research department at the Alma Center for Research on Northern Security Challenges, differentiates between two scenarios: a retaliatory attack and a full-scale war. "If Hezbollah opts to strike Haifa in a targeted retaliation, it will likely aim at an economic, civilian, or military target in the city, such as the civilian port, the airport, or one of the defense industries.

"But in a full-scale war, the assessment is that the entire area from Haifa northward will be the focal point of the attack. This terror army has the capability to launch missiles and rockets to every part of the country, and on paper, they could even reach Eilat. It is impossible to know if they will use these means. The reasonable assessment is that for about ten days, Hezbollah will launch approximately 3,000 mortars, rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles daily from Lebanon.

"Not all will hit their targets. A certain percentage will be duds, others will fall in Lebanese territory, and others will be intercepted. But a significant number will strike, and it will not be a small amount. According to our assessment, in a full-scale war, it will be difficult to maintain normal life during the first week or two across the entire area north of Haifa, including in Haifa itself."

Colonel (Res.) Yair Zilberman, director of the Security and Emergency Services Department at Haifa Municipality, says he is preparing for severe scenarios. "During the Second Lebanon War, about 300 rockets were fired at the city, and a hundred of them hit. In a full-scale war scenario, we are talking about the launch of hundreds of rockets daily.

"To cope with such a situation, we have tripled the number of public shelters, prepared office building parking lots as mass shelters, and ensured that every shelter is equipped with a generator and wireless network. We also rehearsed food supply to these shelters. In real time, we will also open protected schools and kindergartens to accommodate residents.

"There might be power outages in the city, so we've deployed generators in a significant number of public shelters. As part of the lessons learned from 2006, each area of the city has its own command center, and there is a main crisis management center that will centralize all the information and manage the city in an emergency. We are preparing for the worst and praying for the best."

Former Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem initiated a project to equip private building shelters. Is this initiative continuing under the current mayor, Yona Yahav?

"We received a dedicated budget from the Ministry of Housing, and with it, we renovated and upgraded communal shelters in socially and economically disadvantaged areas. Another budget is expected to arrive soon to continue the process of equipping the shelters."

Not Leaving the City

Yossi Almagor (45) lived in the city during the Second Lebanon War. "It was unpleasant to be in Haifa and the Krayot back then. Many people left the city and the north altogether. My parents, who live in the Krayot, also relocated to Tel Aviv. Personally, I didn't leave the city. I lived in Carmel then, which was outside Hezbollah's rocket range, and although there was no Iron Dome at the time, I wasn't worried - because most rockets fell in the lower city and the Hadar neighborhood. Now, the situation is different, not only because the threat has become more tangible and widespread but also because today I live in a more vulnerable area, on the north-facing mountainside."

But Almagor isn't afraid. "I made sure to buy some water packs and food, as instructed by the Home Front Command, but I haven't changed my routine," he says. "I believe that if there's a pinpoint attack, I'll go to the stairwell, which is a relatively protected area. If it's a more prolonged attack, we have a shelter nearby. If it gets really serious, I'll try to move to the complexes the municipality has prepared for extended stays. To me, leaving the city isn't a reasonable option, especially since if there's a large-scale attack, other cities probably won't be safer."

In his neighborhood, the population is diverse: ultra-Orthodox Jews, immigrants from Ethiopia and Russia, and Arab citizens. Only bomb shelters are missing. "You can feel there's less foot traffic in the city, and even the shawarma vendor said he has fewer customers," says Almagor. "But it's not clear if that's due to fear of an attack or because it's the middle of August and everyone is indoors with air conditioning."

Do you feel your city is ready for war?

"Everyone is doing what they need to and are preparing. At the beginning of the war, they established 'Neighbors for Emergencies' here, a volunteer initiative under the municipality's supervision. They trained us to provide first aid and carry out basic search and rescue, so we can provide an initial response. At the same time, public shelters have been equipped, parking lots have been prepared to accommodate many residents, and the city's hospitals are preparing to operate in emergency mode.

"You can't turn the country into a bunker. They've already done everything possible, and now we're waiting. I really hope that when the war starts, the IDF will have enough resources to reduce the rocket threat and quickly take the fight to enemy territory. That's no longer in our hands, but I feel that this waiting period is terrible for everyone. It's better to already be under attack, rather than just waiting for it."

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The aircraft will be delivered to the company's management in Toulouse by the French-Italian manufacturer ATR, which is jointly owned by the Airbus Group and Leonardo Group. Over the next few months, the company will receive two additional aircraft of this model.

Air Haifa was founded by a group of Israeli entrepreneurs led by Nir Zuk, founder of Palo Alto Networks, and Gonen Usishkin, Lior Yavor, and Miki Strasburger, all former senior executives at El Al. The new airline will operate flights throughout the year from Haifa Airport to Eilat and various destinations around the Mediterranean Basin, offering what it describes as "affordable and competitive prices, with comfort and safety."

The company is in the final stages of obtaining its operational license from the Civil Aviation Authority, having received a commercial operating license from Minister of Transport Miri Regev last September.

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A Haifa woman found an unwelcome surprise in her home on Tuesday after discovering that a wild boar had entered and began rummaging for food.

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The boar apparently entered after breaking a window and was probably there for at least several minutes before the woman discovered it. When the animal realized the owner was back, it immediately left.

Video: חדשות מהרגע

Although Haifa residents have grown accustomed to the presence of wild boars on the streets, in recent years there has been a noticeable uptick in the spotting, in part because of the increasing population of both residents and animals, and the expansion of residential areas into woodlands on Mount Carmel.

Haifa previously allowed hunters to keep the boar population in check, but the practice was scrapped after Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem became mayor several years ago. While the new mayor insists the animals are part of nature and should be protected, some residents want them gone.

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