How to Find a Shelter Near You in Israel

Why Plan Ahead?

When a siren sounds, you have 15 seconds to 3 minutes to reach shelter, depending on your location. This is not the time to search. Planning ahead can mean the difference between reaching safety and being caught in the open.

Israel has experienced multiple rounds of escalation since 2023, and the reality is that rocket attacks can happen at any time, from multiple fronts simultaneously. Whether you live in Israel permanently, are visiting, or just arrived as a new immigrant, knowing your nearest shelter is one of the most important things you can do for your personal safety.

Ways to Find a Shelter

1. Miklat.co.il Shelter Map

Open shelter map

• Works offline — no internet needed during emergencies
• Shows shelter status (open/closed) with community-reported updates
• Walking directions to nearest shelter with estimated time
• Includes both mamads (in-apartment safe rooms) and public shelters
• Automatically saves to your device for instant access
• Available in Hebrew, English, Russian, and Arabic

How to use it: Open the map, allow location access, and your nearest shelters will appear with walking distances. The map pre-caches shelter data so it works even without internet.

2. Home Front Command App (Pikud HaOref)

The official IDF/Home Front Command app provides real-time alerts and shelter information. Available on both iOS and Android.

Advantages: Official source, push notifications for your area, multilingual support. Limitations: Requires internet for real-time alerts, may be slow during heavy traffic.

3. Google Maps / Waze

Search for “מקלט” (miklat) on the map. Some shelters appear as marked locations.

Warning: During military operations, GPS spoofing may cause location-based apps to show incorrect positions. An offline map with pre-cached data is more reliable. GPS interference has been documented extensively since October 2023, affecting areas across Israel.

4. Physical Signage

Look for yellow signs on buildings with the word מקלט (miklat). These signs indicate public shelter entrances and are mandated by law on all buildings that contain public shelters.

5. Ask Your Neighbors and Building Manager

Your building manager (vaad bayit) should know where the nearest shelter is. Ask them for the key and the exact location. Longtime residents often know details that maps do not show, such as which shelters are actually accessible and maintained.

Why Offline Maps Matter

During a military operation:

• Cellular networks are overloaded — millions of people try to use their phones simultaneously, causing browsing to become slow or impossible
• GPS spoofing — your location on the map may be inaccurate due to deliberate signal interference designed to confuse incoming missiles
• Power outages — cell towers go down when electricity is cut, which can happen during sustained attacks
• Server overload — even internet-based apps may fail to load when demand spikes

The solution: The miklat.co.il shelter map is saved to your device and works even without an internet connection. No server needed, no data required. Open it once, and the data is cached locally on your phone or computer.

Response Times by Region

These are the official Home Front Command alert times — the amount of time you have between hearing the siren and needing to be inside a shelter:

Region	Time	Recommended Action
Gaza Envelope (Otef Aza)	15 seconds	Mamad only — no time to leave your home
Sderot, Ashkelon	30 seconds	Mamad or nearest solid structure
Ashdod, Beer Sheva	45 seconds	Mamad or nearby public shelter
Tel Aviv, Center	90 seconds	Mamad or nearest public shelter
Haifa, North	60 seconds	Mamad or public shelter
Jerusalem	90 seconds	Mamad or public shelter
Upper Galilee, Kiryat Shmona	30 seconds	Mamad only
Eilat	3 minutes	Mamad or public shelter

Important: These times are measured from the moment the siren sounds, not from the moment a rocket is launched. The actual flight time may be shorter. Always move to shelter immediately.

What to Do When the Siren Sounds

1. Stay calm — panic causes accidents and slows you down
2. Move to your mamad or nearest shelter immediately
3. Close and lock the door — do not leave it ajar
4. Stay away from windows — even inside the shelter
5. Wait at least 10 minutes after the siren ends before leaving
6. Listen to official radio (Galei Zahal 102.3 FM) or check the Home Front Command app for updates

If You Are on the Street

Enter the nearest building. An interior stairwell (without windows) provides reasonable protection. If no building is nearby, lie flat on the ground with your hands covering your head and neck.

If You Are in a Car

Pull over safely, exit the vehicle, and lie flat on the ground beside it (not underneath it). If there is a building nearby, run to it instead.

If You Are at the Beach or in an Open Area

Move to the nearest solid structure. If nothing is available, lie flat on the ground and protect your head. Do not stand near large glass surfaces.

What to Do Now

1. Open the shelter map and find your nearest shelter
2. Save the map for offline use — visit the site once and the data caches automatically
3. Walk the route to your shelter and time yourself
4. Identify a backup shelter in case your primary one is locked or full
5. Practice with your family, including young children
6. Share the map link with friends, neighbors, and coworkers
7. Learn the siren sound — Israel tests sirens once a year on Memorial Day

Essential Items to Keep Ready

Keep a small bag near your shelter entrance with:

• Water bottles (at least 3 liters per person)
• Flashlight with fresh batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Phone charger / power bank
• Any essential medications
• Copies of important documents (ID, passport)
• Snacks that do not expire quickly
• Activities for children (books, small games)

FAQ

What if I’m on the street? Enter the nearest building. An interior stairwell (without windows) provides reasonable protection. If you cannot reach a building within your available time, lie flat on the ground and cover your head with your hands.

What if the shelter is locked? Report it on our shelter map and we’ll update the status. In the meantime, look for an interior stairwell. You can also contact your municipality’s emergency hotline to request it be opened.

Are all shelters open during a siren? Public shelters should open automatically or be unlocked by a designated official. If a shelter is locked, contact your local municipality. During prolonged operations, most public shelters are kept open continuously.

How do I know if I have a mamad in my apartment? If your building was constructed after 1992, each apartment should have a mamad. It is a reinforced room with a heavy steel door, a sealed window with a steel shutter, and concrete walls thicker than the rest of the apartment. Many people use their mamad as a bedroom or office during routine times.

What if I am a tourist and do not speak Hebrew? The miklat.co.il shelter map is available in English, Russian, and Arabic. The Home Front Command app also supports multiple languages. In hotels, the front desk staff will direct you to the shelter.

What should I do with my pets during a siren? Take your pets with you to the shelter if possible. Dogs and cats should be kept on a leash or in a carrier. Do not leave them outside. If your pet is too large for the mamad, keep them in an interior room without windows.

How often are shelters inspected? Municipal shelters are supposed to be inspected annually, though in practice the frequency varies by municipality. After the October 2023 events, many municipalities increased their inspection frequency.

Find your nearest shelter