Israel military says impact at industrial complex may be from missile shrapnel

2026-03-29 - 19:14

The Israeli military told AFP on Sunday that an impact at an industrial zone may have been caused by missile shrapnel, shortly after it detected a new barrage fired from Iran. “We understand that there is a missile shrapnel impact,” the military said, as thick black smoke billowed into the sky from the Neot Hovav industrial zone — formerly known as Ramat Hovav — in the Negev desert in southern Israel. In a separate statement on Sunday, police said: “The fire was apparently caused by the impact of a munition or interception debris. “Searches are ongoing to locate additional items and eliminate any danger to the public.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Sunday evening to have struck an industrial complex in southern Israel with missiles. AFP footage from the ground showed the charred shell of a warehouse billowing thick clouds of white, grey and black smoke, while fire engines trained powerful jets of water on the blaze. “The situation is under control,” fire brigade commander Eyal Caspi told AFP, adding that crews expected to fully extinguish the fire “within the next few hours.” In a statement the local council for the area said: “A hazardous incident has been declared, and all factory workers have been instructed to remain in protected areas.” The military’s Home Front Command, which is responsible for civilian protection in emergency situations, urged residents living near the complex to stay indoors due to the risk of toxic leaks. Soroka Hospital in Beersheba said it had treated six people who were lightly injured in the attack. Since midnight, the Israeli military has reported seven Iranian missile launches directed at Israeli territory. “Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” it said each time. The industrial zone, located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city of Beersheba, is home to more than 40 factories specialising in environmental technologies and the development of industrial infrastructure. The impact on the complex is the second such incident involving an industrial facility in Israel since the war with Iran began on February 28. On March 19, Israeli media reported that an oil refinery in the northern port city of Haifa was hit, shortly after the military warned of incoming missiles from Iran. The Middle East war began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran has since retaliated with sustained waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and several other countries across the region. jd-mib-anr/dcp