Israel's New Fortified Underground Blood Bank Activates Amidst Gaza Conflict, Processes Record Amounts of Blood

$135-million facility, capable of storing 500,000 units of blood annually, operates 15 meters underground, shielded against rockets, chemical attacks and earthquakes, serving as a critical lifeline for the Israeli military amid ongoing conflict.

• The Marcus National Blood Services Center, Israel's new fortified underground blood bank in Ramla, near Tel Aviv, became functional amid ongoing conflict, capable of providing an uninterrupted supply of blood to those injured during the war.
• Shielded 15 meters underground, the $135-million facility operates uninterrupted, offering protection from rockets, missiles, chemical attacks and earthquakes.
• The new facility has the capacity to store up to 500,000 units of blood annually, almost double the capacity of its predecessor built in the 1980s, and has already processed more blood than has ever been held in Israel's reserves.
• During the conflict, the center has provided tens of thousands of units of blood and has seen a surge in donations, receiving 5,000 units in one day in early October
• Blood from the bank is transferred directly to Israeli military hospitals to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield; during wartime, having a stock of blood for immediate use is integral to the resuscitation process.

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