Israel is in the process of building its first underground hospital in the northern city of Haifa that will protect patients and staffers from any missile attack, whether biological or chemical, as sited by a media report.

According to Ma’ariv, the construction of the hospital is expected to be completed by May. The new hospital comes amid growing tensions between Israel and the surrounding countries, Syria and Lebanon.

Located three stories underground, the hospital is set to be the largest of its kind in the world and should be able to accommodate at least 2,000 hospital beds.

The report said that $500 million dollars have been invested in the project.

"To prepare the hospital for such attacks, we have a closed system of electric grid, communications, oxygen and water," a construction official said.

Last week, Syria claimed that a research facility was hit by an Israeli air strike. Media reports, however, said Israeli jets hit a weapons convoy on its way from Syria to Lebanon, to transfer arms to militant group Hezbollah.

The report said Syrian and Iranian officials have spoken about a possible retaliation against Israel and, therefore, Israel is preparing itself for such an attack.

The Israeli army has also reportedly deployed three anti-missile Iron Dome batteries in northern Israel, including one in Haifa.

The project came into being following the 2006 war with Lebanon, in which Hezbollah fired dozens of long-range missiles at Israel, targeting Haifa as well, the third largest city in the country.