Shaking things up: IDF details earthquake preparedness plans amid fears of next potential disaster
Following the quake in Eilat last week, the IDF has designated 2027 to be 'Year of the Earthquake,' and will work to restore and strengthen natural disaster management capabilities.
A senior Home Front Command official has warned that a major earthquake in Israel could result in thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands of displaced people, and significant damage to critical infrastructure. The officer detailed the IDF's preparedness for such a disaster, which includes plans for mass evacuations, extended rescue operations, and the swift deployment of medical and rescue teams to isolated areas, particularly Eilat.
The most likely scenario involves between hundreds and thousands of fatalities, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of evacuees, and extensive damage to infrastructure, hospitals, and the energy sector. Emergency services would begin operating immediately, with the first several hours dedicated to assessing the scale of the disaster and identifying areas most in need of assistance.
Israel Police would handle initial responses, while the Home Front Command would manage more complex disaster sites requiring specialized skills. The military would conduct prolonged search and rescue operations, establish disaster assistance areas, and address damaged national infrastructure. Israel also has an earthquake early warning system that provides seconds of notice, which can still save lives.
Although the system has not seen major technological upgrades, the IDF and Home Front Command have designated 2027 as the "Year of the Earthquake" to focus on national disaster preparedness. The military is establishing a National Home Front Center to oversee training and improve coordination among response organizations. The recent earthquake has heightened concerns about Eilat's ability to cope with a major disaster due to its geographic isolation and limited medical and logistical resources.
However, the officer noted that lessons learned from the war and the October 7 attacks have improved the military's readiness to respond to emergencies in the region. A detailed plan is in place to rapidly deploy rescue and medical personnel to Eilat in the event of a major earthquake, including airlifting teams from central Israel to overcome the city's isolation.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
