What happened

A Hamas-fired rocket landed alarmingly close to a key Israeli military base, known to house Jericho ballistic missiles, which are capable of being armed with nuclear warheads. The attack took place during the October 7 terror incident targeting Israel.

Why it matters

This incident underscores the ongoing tension and potential for escalation between Hamas and Israel. The proximity of the strike to a base linked to Israel’s nuclear missile program spotlights the risks associated with the conflict and raises concerns about the security of critical military assets.

By the numbers

According to reports, the rocket impacted approximately 300 meters from the missile storage area, igniting a fire in nearby dry vegetation. The blaze was eventually contained by firefighting efforts, including at least two firefighting planes.

The big picture

The Sdot Micha base, situated in central Israel, is under scrutiny due to its strategic importance and the assets it contains. Hans Kristensen, a nuclear expert, estimates that the base could have between 25 to 50 Jericho missile launchers. These missiles are believed to be capable of carrying nuclear payloads, as supported by expert analyses and declassified U.S. documents.

The response

Following the strike, firefighting teams swiftly responded to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading to the missile storage facilities. Despite the potential threat, it was confirmed that the Israeli missiles were not affected by the impact or subsequent fire.

Bottom line

While no physical damage to the missiles was reported, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility in the region and the importance of safeguarding critical defense infrastructure amidst ongoing hostilities.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.