Haifa, Israel — The country’s largest oil refinery came under attack on Thursday following a fresh missile strike reportedly launched from Iran, according to multiple local media outlets, including public broadcaster Kan.
Israeli authorities said the situation remains under control, with no casualties reported so far. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that at least 15 firefighting and rescue teams were deployed to the site after intercepted missile fragments were detected in the area.
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Emergency service Magen David Adom stated that no injuries have been recorded as of now.
Local residents reported power outages across parts of northern Israel following the incident. Visuals aired on Israeli media showed a large plume of smoke rising from the refinery complex, raising initial concerns about potential infrastructure damage.
However, Energy Minister Eli Cohen said the strike did not cause significant damage to critical facilities. He added that teams from the Israel Electric Corporation are actively working to restore electricity in affected areas. The minister also confirmed he is heading to the site as investigations into the incident continue.
The Haifa refinery, operated by the Bazan Group, is considered a key strategic energy facility for Israel. In a filing to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the refinery acknowledged additional damage caused overnight, primarily to external infrastructure owned by a third party that is essential for operations. The company noted that most production activities remain functional, with the rest expected to resume within days.
Iran has increasingly targeted energy infrastructure in Israel and across the Gulf since the start of the current conflict, signaling a broader escalation strategy focused on economic and critical assets.
A day earlier, Israel reportedly struck Iran’s massive offshore South Pars natural gas field in Bushehr Province in coordinated operations with the United States, marking a significant expansion of direct energy-sector targeting by both sides.
The Bazan facility in Haifa — identifiable by its large cooling tower overlooking the densely populated Haifa Bay — has long been viewed as a high-risk target by Israel’s adversaries, including Hezbollah, which has repeatedly threatened strikes from neighboring Lebanon.
The refinery has also been the subject of domestic controversy. Residents and environmental groups have for years pushed for its closure or relocation, citing severe pollution concerns and the risk of catastrophic damage in the event of a direct hit.
In 2022, the Israeli government approved a plan to relocate the facility by 2030. As part of that process, work to remove large oil storage tanks adjacent to the refinery was scheduled to begin this year.
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