Iranian Missile Hits Ne'ot Hovav Chemical Factory in Israel, Sparking Fire and Hazmat Alert

Tel Aviv: An Iranian missile struck a factory inside the Ne'ot Hovav industrial zone in southern Israel on Sunday afternoon, igniting a fire and triggering an emergency hazardous chemicals alert — prompting authorities to seal off a major highway, evacuate factory workers, and order residents across the area to shelter in place.

The missile impacted within the Ne'ot Hovav industrial zone on Sunday afternoon, setting off a fire and raising the possibility of a hazardous chemical leak. Israeli media reported that one person sustained a light injury from the shockwave of the impact.

Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry moved swiftly to assess the extent of the threat. The ministry said it was actively investigating whether hazardous chemicals had leaked from the stricken facility, but emphasised that at the current stage of assessment, no risk to nearby towns in the Ramat Negev Regional Council was anticipated.

In the immediate aftermath, police closed off Highway 40 as a precautionary measure, and the Regional Council advised residents to find alternative routes for travel in the area.

Israel's Home Front Command issued instructions for all residents in the vicinity to move into enclosed structures, seal their windows, and switch off air conditioning units to prevent any potentially contaminated outside air from circulating indoors.

The Industrial Council of Ne'ot Hovav announced it was coordinating closely with the Home Front Command, police, fire services, the Environmental Protection Ministry, and the management of the damaged factory. In a formal statement, the council declared a hazardous chemical event and instructed all workers across the zone's factories to remain within designated safe spaces until further notice.

Emergency response teams and hazmat units remained on site as the situation continued to develop, with officials cautioning that the assessment was still ongoing and the picture could change.