Missile strikes were reported in Israel’s northern city of Haifa, where a fire broke out at an oil refinery complex following impacts in the area, authorities and media reports said.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with cross-border missile exchanges raising concerns over potential damage to critical infrastructure and civilian areas.
According to initial reports, missiles launched from Iran reached the Haifa region, with impacts recorded in and around the city’s industrial zone.
A fire was subsequently reported at a refinery facility, prompting emergency response teams to rush to the site and initiate firefighting operations, officials said.
Authorities said the extent of damage appeared limited, though assessments were ongoing.
Emergency services worked to contain the blaze, and there were no immediate reports of large-scale casualties at the time of filing this report.
Officials said the impacts caused disruption in parts of the industrial area, including temporary disturbances linked to infrastructure operations.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the country’s air defense systems intercepted several incoming projectiles, though some missiles or debris appeared to have landed in the Haifa area.
Residents in parts of Haifa reported hearing loud explosions, followed by visible smoke rising from the industrial zone.
“We heard multiple blasts and later saw smoke coming from the direction of the refinery,” a local resident quoted by international media as having said.
The Haifa industrial zone, which includes major oil refining and storage facilities, is considered a strategically significant site and has been viewed as a potential target in the event of escalation.
Authorities have urged locals to follow safety advisories and remain alert as security agencies continue to monitor the situation.
Haifa, a key port city in northern Israel, hosts vital energy infrastructure, including oil refineries that supply fuel across the country.
The latest incident follows a series of escalating exchanges between Iran and Israel, with both sides reporting strikes and counter-strikes in recent weeks.
Defense analysts have warned that attacks on industrial facilities could carry broader economic and environmental implications, even when physical damage remains limited.
