Trump Deploys F-22s as Hospital Drills Intensify

Israeli hospitals are shifting into wartime emergency mode as Tehran’s threats escalate, exposing the grim reality that American allies face from Iranian aggression while our own administration finally backs Israel with meaningful military support.

Story Snapshot

Soroka Medical Center and other Israeli hospitals conduct war simulations amid fears of Iranian missile barrages following a June 2025 strike that severely damaged Soroka’s infrastructure.
Prime Minister Netanyahu warns Iran will face an “unimaginable response” if it attacks, while US deploys F-22s, F-35s, and warships to the region under Trump’s leadership.
Municipal shelters across Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion activate automatically as Israeli security officials prepare for “extreme scenarios” involving hypersonic missiles and multi-front assaults.
Israeli healthcare facilities maintain full patient care while relocating critical departments underground and updating emergency transfer protocols in response to heightened threat levels.

Hospital Infrastructure Hardens After Direct Attack

Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba operates under extreme emergency conditions as of February 20, 2026, refining procedures and conducting simulations after suffering severe infrastructure damage from an Iranian ballistic missile strike in June 2025. The hospital maintains full patient care while updating guidelines for patient transfers and emergency protocols. Wolfson Medical Center simultaneously relocates departments and evacuates underground areas, demonstrating the healthcare sector’s proactive response to credible threats. This preparation underscores a sobering truth: Iranian aggression directly targets civilian infrastructure, forcing hospitals to operate as if under siege while treating patients.

Israeli Health Ministry officials review readiness across multiple facilities as warnings intensify about potential missile barrages overwhelming air defenses. The preparations reflect lessons learned from Soroka’s June 2025 hit, which exposed vulnerabilities in civilian infrastructure protection. Unlike typical military alerts, these measures address healthcare continuity under fire, ensuring surgical suites and intensive care units can function during attacks. The proactive stance demonstrates Israel’s determination to protect civilians even as adversaries deliberately target non-combatant facilities, a tactic that violates international norms but remains central to Iranian strategy.

Netanyahu Coordinates Defense With Trump Administration

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel “prepared for any scenario” on February 19, 2026, warning Tehran would face an “unimaginable response” if it launches attacks. His statements coincide with President Trump’s deployment of advanced F-22 and F-35 fighter jets plus warships to the Gulf region, signaling robust American support for Israel’s defense. Trump set a 10-day deadline for Iran to agree to nuclear deal terms, applying maximum pressure on the regime. This coordination reflects a return to policies prioritizing American allies over appeasement, contrasting sharply with previous administrations that allowed Iranian threats to escalate unchecked.

Netanyahu’s preparedness claims receive support from US military deployments that bolster Israel’s air defense capabilities against saturation attacks. Security officials warn that Iranian hypersonic missiles, drones, and coordinated strikes could overwhelm existing defenses, targeting strategic infrastructure and fuel supplies. The Trump administration’s rapid military response demonstrates how decisive leadership protects allies facing existential threats. This stands in stark contrast to policies that empowered Iran through sanctions relief and diplomatic weakness, which only emboldened Tehran’s regional aggression and support for terrorist proxies like Hezbollah.

Municipal Shelters Activate Amid Multi-Front War Fears

Cities including Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion activated automatic shelter systems as Israeli defense officials prepare for “extreme scenarios” involving coordinated attacks from multiple fronts. Municipal readiness varies significantly, with Petah Tikva and Bat Yam showing gaps in shelter preparedness that could leave civilians vulnerable during missile barrages. The IDF accelerates equipment upgrades and deepens assumptions for multi-front warfare, recognizing that Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah may exploit opportunities despite cautious public statements. This reality check reveals how terrorist regimes and their proxies constantly probe for weaknesses while maintaining plausible deniability.

The preparations occur against a backdrop of stalled US-Iran nuclear talks and the European Union’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Domestic protests within Iran add pressure on the regime, yet Tehran continues advancing missile capabilities demonstrated in prior attacks. Israeli civilians face heightened anxiety as shelter access disparities create unequal protection levels across communities. These circumstances illustrate the consequences of past policies that allowed Iran to develop advanced weapons while funding terror networks, forcing ordinary Israelis to live under constant threat of annihilation from a regime that openly calls for Israel’s destruction.