An Iranian missile strike near the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa ended without a hazardous leak, but a climate change ecology professor from Tel Aviv University warned that the facility remains a serious danger. He described the refinery as a 'time bomb,' stressing that the limited damage should be seen as a near miss rather than reassurance. The plant’s location in a densely populated area heightens the risk of catastrophe if a future strike directly hits critical infrastructure.

The refinery has long faced criticism over air pollution and public health concerns, even before the war. According to the professor, a direct hit could trigger massive explosions, toxic smoke, and potential fatalities, forcing large scale evacuations in the Haifa Bay area. He cautioned that missile interceptions are unpredictable, making each attack a matter of chance.

Beyond environmental and safety risks, the refinery is central to the country’s fuel supply, meaning significant damage could disrupt petrol availability nationwide. The professor criticized the government for what he described as a lack of long term planning and reluctance to relocate the facility to a less populated region, warning that the country’s energy infrastructure remains dangerously concentrated in one location.