Iranian Missile Strikes Bazan Oil Refineries in Haifa Bay
An Iranian missile struck the Bazan oil refineries in Haifa Bay on Thursday afternoon, causing damage to the facility and initiating a hazardous materials assessment. This incident occurred as sirens sounded across large parts of Israel following launches from Iran and additional rocket fire from Lebanon.
Damage Assessment and Casualties
The strike from Iran resulted in damage to the refineries in the Haifa area, with smoke observed rising from the facilities. The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. Initial assessments indicated the missile was equipped with a cluster warhead, leading to multiple impact sites in Haifa.
Power outages were reported in several areas of the city, attributed to infrastructure damage. A vehicle in Yokneam was hit by shrapnel, and one person there was reported to have light injuries. In Shfaram, several individuals received treatment for shock at another impact site.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen stated that the damage to the northern power grid was localized and not significant. He reported that Israel Electric Corporation crews had restored electricity to most affected customers, with remaining areas expected to regain power shortly. No significant damage to infrastructure sites across Israel's north was reported from the barrage.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
Fifteen firefighting teams were dispatched to the Bazan facilities. Fire and Rescue Services reported conducting extensive searches, working to extinguish a fire, and securing the scene while monitoring for suspected hazardous materials.
Crucially, no injuries were reported at the refinery site itself. Magen David Adom did not receive reports of serious injuries in the wider Haifa area.
Broader Context and Regional Incidents
Iranian state television claimed the strike targeted an energy facility in Haifa as retaliation for an earlier Israeli strike on Iranian gas facilities linked to the South Pars field.
The financial markets reacted swiftly to the news. Shares of Petrochemicals Ltd., which holds a stake in Bazan, declined by over 10% on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, while Bazan’s stock dropped more than 6.5%.
Concurrent Attacks Across Israel
Earlier on the same day, sirens were activated in the Golan Heights and around Kiryat Shmona due to rocket fire originating from Lebanon. Additional alerts were sounded across the Galilee.
Launches from Iran were also identified towards central Israel and the Jerusalem area, triggering sirens in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, the Shfela, the Lachish region, the Jerusalem area, parts of the West Bank, and Ashdod.