Citing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War during which Haifa was under heavy missile attack from Lebanon, Mayor Yonah Yahav warns the Carmel Tunnels are a “death trap”.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon was a guest of honor in Haifa on Tuesday, 20 Iyar 5774, hosted by Mayor Yahav. They toured a number of installations and the mayor explained that while the tunnels could serve as a shelter for thousands of residents during a war or natural disaster, the government has yet to classify them as “essential”. Such a classification would result in allocating appropriate funds to prepare for a disaster as well as formulating operating protocols to avoid catastrophe in a state of emergency. It will also compel tunnel workers to report to work in a state of emergency.

Yahav warned that at present, there is no plan for mass evacuation for Haifa residents and without the proper designation and preparation; the tunnels could become a death trap. He added that even the proper measures the tunnels, which are 200 meters underground, could prove vital towards protecting thousands of the city’s residents.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)