Czech police launched a terrorism probe Friday after a fire destroyed parts of an industrial facility in Pardubice linked to Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.

The blaze erupted early Friday morning at a site operated by Czech defense company LPP Holding, located about 100 kilometers east of Prague. Several buildings suffered significant damage, though no injuries were reported. A group identifying as the Earthquake Faction claimed responsibility via email to news outlet Aktualne.cz and a Telegram post, releasing video footage purportedly showing the arson.

The group described the site as a "key Israeli weapons manufacturing hub" central to Elbit's European operations and said the attack aimed to halt its alleged role in Israel's actions in Gaza, which they termed a "genocide." "The site is central to the European operations of Israel’s biggest weapons producer. Now, it’s in flames," the faction stated.

LPP Holding confirmed the fire at one of its facilities but emphasized that planned cooperation with Elbit Systems, announced in 2023 for drone development as a "Centre of Excellence" for NATO customers, was never realized. "No Israeli drones have ever been manufactured at our facility," the company said. Elbit Systems, a major supplier of land and air weapons to the Israeli military, has faced protests globally amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar described the incident as having a "probable connection to a terrorist attack" and convened a crisis staff. He scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. local time. The investigation fell under the National Centre Against Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime, with involvement from counter-intelligence (BIS) and military intelligence (VZ). Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called the reports "very serious" and said security services were conducting an intensive probe, with heightened security at similar sites nationwide.

Police shifted from checking for intentional arson to a terrorism classification based on early evidence. No suspects have been named publicly.

The Earthquake Faction, presenting itself as an international underground network, vowed further actions against sites it deems supportive of Israel. This marks a rare direct attack on European defense infrastructure tied to Israel, amid heightened tensions from regional wars.