Missile Fragment Ignites ADAMA (Syngenta) Plant at Neot Hovav — Pesticide Fire, Evacuation

An Iranian ballistic missile fragment struck ADAMA's Makhteshim plant at the Neot Hovav industrial zone south of Beersheba on Day 30, igniting a large fire. ADAMA — part of Chinese-owned Syngenta Group, the world's largest agrochemical company — confirmed the impact. Initial fears of a pesticide leak prompted evacuation of the industrial zone and public shelter orders. The Israeli Environmental Protection Ministry subsequently confirmed all-clear: on-site measurements found no hazardous materials incident and no risk to the public. Roads were reopened and workers allowed to leave shelters. ADAMA's plant manufactures insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The incident was the first confirmed D30 physical impact on industrial infrastructure and the first time an Iranian strike hit Chinese-corporate-owned assets in Israel.

Key facts

• •ADAMA Makhteshim plant confirmed struck — part of Chinese-owned Syngenta Group
• •IDF correction: missile fragment (not direct hit) struck factory — large fire ignited
• •Hazmat identified as pesticide; chemical storage units being sealed by containment teams
• •Industrial zone staff and adjacent plants fully evacuated; public ordered indoors
• •No injuries reported; second Beersheba area BM impact today (salvo 8 also hit Beersheba)
• •First Chinese-corporate-owned facility struck during the Iran-Israel war