Iran strike hits chemical facility in Israel, toxic gas fears erupt
An Iranian missile strike targeted a chemical industrial complex near Beersheba in southern Israel, sparking a large fire and raising fears of toxic gas leaks. Eleven people were lightly injured. Iran claimed it struck a nearby military installation, not the chemical plant itself.
A dangerous escalation unfolded Sunday in the ongoing war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance when Iranian missiles struck an industrial area near the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. Israeli media reported that the facility produces chemical substances. Following the strike, a large fire broke out in the Neot Hovav industrial zone, with footage on social media showing thick smoke rising from the area. Local authorities immediately closed the zone to all entry and exit.
Chemical leak concerns
Israel’s Environmental Ministry confirmed that the industrial zone was fully sealed off and emergency teams were working to extinguish the blaze while closing any gaps that could allow toxic gases to escape. Channel 13 reported significant concern over potential chemical leaks. The strike left 11 people with minor injuries. The industrial complex, located 10-15 kilometers from Beersheba in the occupied southern Palestinian territory, houses multiple facilities producing chemical substances.
Conflicting claims over target
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a statement asserting that the missiles did not target the industrial zone itself but rather a nearby military installation. Iranian state television emphasized that the strike was a response to the ongoing US-Israeli bombardment of Iran. Meanwhile, the conflict expanded further into the Gulf, with Kuwait announcing that 10 members of its armed forces were wounded in a separate Iranian missile and drone attack on a military base in the country.
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Türkiye’s call for restraint
As the war increasingly threatens civilian infrastructure and environmental safety, Türkiye has renewed its urgent calls for de-escalation. Ankara has consistently warned that attacks near chemical facilities carry catastrophic risks for civilian populations. Turkish officials continue to press for diplomatic engagement, emphasizing that the protection of civilians and the environment must remain paramount under international humanitarian law.
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