Iran attacked a chemical plant in southern Israel.
A fire broke out at a chemical plant in Neot Hovav in southern Israel following an attack. Special hazardous materials teams are assessing the risk of a hazardous materials leak in the industrial area.
A chemical plant in the large industrial zone of Neot Hovav in the south of Israel caught fire as a result of an Iranian missile strike, Ynetnews reports, citing authorities.
Workers and staff have been evacuated. Specialized hazardous materials teams and monitoring units are assessing the risk of a hazardous materials spill in the industrial area. Emergency medical personnel reported that one person suffered a minor injury.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv reports that after receiving reports of the incident, three special hazardous materials teams and monitoring units from Be'er Sheva were dispatched to the scene. According to the newspaper, there are currently no reports of casualties.
Local newspaper Calcalist also reported that an injured man was treated. Workers in the surrounding industrial area were forced to close their businesses due to concerns about a hazardous material leak, the newspaper added.
Several dozen large factories employing thousands of workers operate in Neot Hovav, Calcalist reports. The Ministry of Environmental Protection reported that its crews were called to the scene.
Iran's Fars news agency, citing a source, reports that Iran struck an Israeli military-related plant in the south of the country. This strike is a warning of attacks on Iranian factories and industries.
The Neot Hovav industrial zone, located south of Be'er Sheva, is a key center of Israel's chemical industry. It produces approximately half of all chemicals produced in the country. A power plant and warehouses are also located in the area.
In late February, the United States, along with Israel, launched a military operation against Iran. The strikes killed the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military leaders. In response, Tehran launched massive strikes against American bases in the Persian Gulf.
The day before, an Iranian missile attack hit the Al Taweelah aluminum smelter in Abu Dhabi, owned by Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA). Several EGA employees were injured in the strikes, but their lives are not in danger. The UAE is the most heavily shelled state among Iran's neighbors in the Persian Gulf, according to the Financial Times.
