JERUSALEM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Ministry of Transport on Sunday instructed the two southern seaports in the city of Ashdod to prepare to serve as an alternative to the two northern ports in the city of Haifa due to the possibility of expansion and intensification of fighting on the Lebanese border.

The ministry said in a statement that the directive regarding the Mediterranean ports follows the recent developments in the northern region after a rocket launched from Lebanon on Saturday killed 12 children on a football pitch in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The ministry's director-general Moshe Ben Zaken visited the southern ports on Sunday and received a comprehensive overview of preparations for handling vessels during a possible missile attack on northern cities and power outages.

He also assessed the ports' energy independence, the processes for receiving U.S. security assistance, the storage of hazardous materials, and the overall security of the facilities during emergencies.

"We are dedicated to keeping Israel's entry gates open and fully operational in any situation. Our seaports and airports are not only strategic targets for our enemies but also critical components of our infrastructure," said Ben Zaken, noting the "facilities must remain secure and functional."

He added that Israel must maintain a heightened state of preparedness at key transportation hubs, including a strong emphasis on energy independence and robust logistical solutions to effectively manage any possible emergencies. Enditem

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