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<\/p>\nWas Israel\u2019s Massive Explosion Really Planned? Former CIA Officer Questions Official Version<\/p>\n
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A powerful blast near the Jerusalem-area city of Beit Shemesh on Saturday night has triggered widespread speculation after dramatic visuals from the site spread rapidly across social media. The explosion took place at a testing ground linked to the state-owned Tomer defence company, which develops engines for Israeli rocket and missile systems, including Arrow interceptor missiles.<\/p>\n
Israeli authorities described the incident as a \u201cpre-planned experiment” carried out according to schedule. However, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson in an interview with Mario Nawfal on X, has questioned the official explanation, claiming several aspects of the incident do not match a routine controlled test.<\/p>\n
Larry Johnson raises questions<\/p>\n
Johnson said the scale of the explosion, the timing, and restrictions placed on emergency responders raised serious doubts.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmergency services, the emergency response was blocked from going to the area. So if it was an accident that involved injuries, accidents generally involve injuries,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n
He also questioned why such a detonation would happen late at night without prior warnings to emergency services or nearby residents. \u201cNobody does a controlled blast at 12:30 a.m. without telling first responders,” he said.<\/p>\n
Johnson claimed all possible explanations pointed towards escalating regional tensions. \u201cAll scenarios point to war being imminent, and that\u2019s not a good sign at all,” he added.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf1 Something massive just blew up inside an Israeli defense plant that makes Arrow missile interceptors, and emergency crews were initially blocked from the scene.Fmr. CIA Analyst Larry Johnson says accident or sabotage are the only two logical outcomes, but rules out a\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/6cysxlykNt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DpLymEYVsY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Speculation around Israel\u2019s Arrow-3 missile system<\/p>\n Hebrew media reports later suggested the explosion may have involved Sdot Micha Airbase, a sensitive Israeli missile facility near the area. According to reports, the blast may have destroyed part of a stockpile linked to the Arrow-3 missile defence system.<\/p>\n Speculation centred around a sodium perchlorate storage area reportedly used in producing rocket motors for surface-to-air missile systems. Reports suggested the material may have caught fire due to mishandling.<\/p>\n If confirmed, the damage could affect one of Israel\u2019s two Arrow-3 missile batteries. The Arrow-3 system is considered Israel\u2019s top-tier exoatmospheric missile defence platform.<\/p>\n Explosion videos too fuel debate<\/p>\n Videos from the scene showed a massive fireball and a towering mushroom cloud visible from miles away. Some eyewitnesses reportedly initially feared it resembled a tactical weapons explosion because of its scale.<\/p>\n Johnson said the similarities between the latest blast and a similar mushroom-cloud incident reported at the same facility in April 2021 were difficult to ignore.<\/p>\n He argued that the timing \u2013 during the Sabbath, when work is generally limited in Israel unless urgent military activity is involved \u2013 added to the speculation.<\/p>\n Israeli authorities maintain blast was a test<\/p>\n Despite the theories circulating online, Israeli authorities have maintained that the explosion was part of a planned experiment with no external involvement.<\/p>\n Officials said there were no reported casualties and no security breach linked to the incident.<\/p>\n Handpicked stories, in your inbox<\/p>\n A newsletter with the best of our journalism<\/p>\n submit<\/p>\n News<\/a> world<\/a> Mystery Blast In Israeli Defence Facility? Ex-CIA Analyst Questions Tehran\u2019s \u2018Planned Test\u2019 ClaimDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n