Health Minister Yaakov Litzman and heads of the Health Ministry met with heads of the nation�s kupot cholim (HMOs) and other relevant officials to discuss the security crisis in Israel today.

It was decided to move to level 2 operations in all of the nation�s hospitals, and all the hospitals must comply as of today, Tuesday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. This includes:

� Making certain the medical intuition is prepared for level 2 operations, from an equipment, personnel and logistics point of view.

� Establishing contact with relevant agencies including Israel Police, IDF Homefront Command, local community leaders, suppliers and make sure all relevant personnel are familiar with level 2 operations.

� Review of and familiarization with all hospital emergency protocols.

� Inspecting and verifying the integrity of all equipment and infrastructure.

� Making certain decision-makers are present in the hospital around-the-clock.

The ministry also launched a psychological support hotline for those seeking assistance. This will operate out of Jerusalem�s Shaare Zedek Medical Center. One may phone from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

All HMOs will launch a hotline to assist persons with psychological trauma and these lines will operate around-the-clock.

� Clalit: *2700

� Maccabi: *3555

� Leumit: *507

� Meuchedet: *3833

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)