Iran Attack: Chemical Plant Fire & Leak Fears

A fragment from a ballistic missile launched from Iran struck a chemical plant in southern Israel on Sunday, sparking a blaze and raising concerns about a potential hazardous materials leak, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Missile Impacts and Response

The impact and subsequent fire occurred at an industrial zone during Iran’s sixth missile attack of the day. Further missile attacks followed, with one missile lightly injuring 11 people in the southern city of Beersheba.

The IDF Home Front Command warned civilians near the Neot Hovav industrial zone, south of Beersheba, to remain indoors due to concerns of a hazardous materials leak following the impact at a fertilizer factory and the resulting fire.

After the fire was brought under control, the Environmental Protection Ministry stated there was no risk to the public. Minister Idit Silman said ministry professionals conducted on-site measurements and monitoring, and “in accordance with the findings of the updated tests, it was decided to open the roads and return activity to normal.”

Workers from the factory and adjacent plants who had been directed to protected areas were allowed to return to their posts.

According to the IDF, the missile did not directly hit the industrial zone, but a fragment struck the facility, causing the large fire.

Home Front Command search-and-rescue forces worked alongside the fire service to extinguish the blaze. Fire and rescue teams focused on sealing and containing damaged chemical storage units at the factory. Deputy head of the fire service’s Southern District, Itzik Levy, said the containers held a pesticide.

ADAMA, a maker of active ingredients and crop protection materials, confirmed its Makhteshim plant in southern Israel was hit. ADAMA, part of the Chinese-owned Syngenta Group, stated the extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

Emergency services and police initially asked the public to avoid the area.

Beersheba Impact and Further Attacks

Shortly after the factory was hit, another Iranian missile struck an open area in Beersheba. The blast shattered windows in nearby homes, and rescue services reported damage to approximately 100 homes, some significantly, rendering them uninhabitable.

“There was a crazy explosion,” one local resident told The Times of Israel. “A few broken windows. But everything is ok.”

The Magen David Adom emergency service said 11 people were injured by “flying objects” caused by the missile’s shockwave. An additional 20 people were treated for acute anxiety, and all 31 were transported to Soroka Medical Center.

An eighth missile attack from Iran, also aimed at the south, was intercepted. Earlier in the day, a missile that triggered sirens in the Jerusalem area and central Israel was also intercepted, while another missile fired at the north was allowed to hit an open area, “according to protocol,” the military said.

IDF Response

In an afternoon update, the military said the Israeli Air Force struck over 140 targets of Iran’s ballistic missile array in western and central Iran in the past day, hitting sites where Iran stored and launched ballistic missiles, alongside air defense systems.

As Iran launched missiles at southern, central, and northern areas, its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, continued to attack the north with rockets and drones. The IDF reported intercepting some rockets and others hitting open areas. The IDF continued strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel and the US launched their campaign against Iran on February 28 in an effort to destabilize the regime and destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile capacities. Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes across the region, and its proxies in Iraq and Lebanon have also carried out attacks.

On Saturday, Houthi rebels in Yemen also fired a ballistic missile and a drone at Israel. France condemned the Houthi attacks, accusing them of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

A Houthi spokesman said the group had fired missiles and drones towards “several vital and military sites” in Israel. French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux called for the Houthis to abstain from all attacks, deeming them “irresponsible,” and urged all parties to avoid further escalation of the conflict, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and disrupted energy markets.