Hamas rocket hit Israeli nuclear weapons base on October 7

The New York Times, citing experts, reports that a rocket fired by Hamas hit the Sdot Micha military base in central Israel, where nuclear missiles are kept.

The rocket did not hit the missiles directly, but sparked a fire that spread towards missile storage facilities and other “sensitive weaponry”.

Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project, told the Times that there are most likely 25 to 50 nuclear-capable Jericho missile launchers at the base.

Israel has never acknowledged its possession of nuclear weapons, but Israeli whistleblowers and US officials have confirmed the existence of the country’s arsenal.

In early November Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu said during a radio interview that the nuclear option would be “one way” to deal with Gaza, implying that, not only is Israel in possession of nuclear weapons, but that it is also willing to use them.