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Workers at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv were evacuated Sunday after a package that arrived in an international shipment began emitting thick black smoke, triggering a hazardous materials response at Israel's main international airport.
Israel's fire and rescue services said the regional hazardous materials unit was dispatched to identify the substance after the package, which arrived from abroad, began producing dense black smoke.
There was suspicion that the material could be toxic, and workers were immediately evacuated from the cargo terminal compound to prevent contact or exposure.
"A report was received about a package that arrived in a shipment. The incident is fully under control and at this stage there are no known casualties," the fire service said.
"Firefighters from the Ayalon station and the regional hazardous materials unit are currently operating at Ben Gurion Airport," the fire service added.
Fire services stated the incident had "no connection" to Operation Roaring Lion, Israel's military campaign against Iran.
The Israel Airports Authority said the situation was "under control and being handled by fire services on site who are monitoring the suspicious package while taking all required safety measures." No casualties were reported.
The hazardous materials unit was monitoring to identify the substance, with investigators examining whether it was a material used in pharmaceutical production, Israeli media reported.
Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the entire cargo terminal area was evacuated as a precaution. The incident did not affect passenger operations, with Israeli airline El Al resuming outbound passenger flights to destinations including Thailand.
Israel has been on heightened alert since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began Feb. 28, with Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting Israeli territory.
Hezbollah has also been launching cross-border attacks since March 2.
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