An Iranian missile directly impacted an industrial chemical facility in the Neot Hovav zone in southern Israel on Sunday, producing thick black smoke and triggering a hazardous materials incident. One person suffered light injuries from the blast, according to emergency services.

Israeli authorities responded swiftly by evacuating workers from the site and nearby plants. Specialized hazardous materials teams were deployed to contain leaks, seal damaged tanks, and monitor chemical concentrations in the air. Firefighting units from Be'er Sheva tackled the blaze, while police and bomb disposal experts searched for debris across the Negev region. The Home Front Command instructed those in exposed areas to shelter in protected spaces until the situation stabilized.

The strike occurred amid a broader barrage of Iranian missiles targeting southern and central Israel. Sirens sounded in cities including Be'er Sheva, Dimona, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. Additional impacts were reported in open areas near Be'er Sheva and Ramallah in the West Bank, with no further injuries noted. Iranian sources claimed three salvos were fired in under 30 minutes, in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes on Iranian industrial sites.

Neot Hovav hosts numerous chemical plants, including the ICL Rotem complex, which has been linked in some reports to the production of materials like white phosphorus used in munitions. A similar strike targeted the area on March 25, causing a large fire. Concerns over potential chemical leaks have heightened public anxiety in the region.

This attack is part of an escalating conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iranian missile production, nuclear facilities, and other military sites. Iran has responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones, some employing cluster munitions, leading to civilian casualties in previous barrages, including one death in Tel Aviv earlier this week.

Israel has continued operations against Iranian weapons manufacturing, including a naval weapons complex in Tehran and sites in Yazd and Isfahan. The Israeli military has intercepted many incoming threats, but stated that some missiles penetrated defenses in recent exchanges.

As of midday Sunday, emergency teams remained on site in Neot Hovav, with ongoing assessments to ensure no public health risks from the chemical incident. The incident underscores the intensifying exchanges targeting industrial and strategic infrastructure on both sides.