Israeli crude pipeline operator Europe-Asia Pipeline Co. has clarified that a rocket attack last week did not affect its terminal in Ashkelon, as initially reported by local media organizations.
Local media reported on May 12 that a rocket launched from Gaza had hit a crude oil storage tank on May 11 at the Trans-Israel or Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline in Ashkelon, Israel.
The pipeline terminal has not been affected, EAPC said subsequently. However, it added that a rocket had hit an oil storage tank at a Petroleum and Energy Infrastructures (PEI) tankfarm, adjacent to the EAPC terminal.
PEI, which is operated by the Israeli government and handles offloading as well as storage and loading of crude oil and oil products, was not immediately available to comment May 17.
However local media cited PEI as saying that a rocket had hit a fuel tank belonging to it near the city of Ashkelon, which caught fire, but it was subsequently put out, causing only minor damage to the facility.
Violence has escalated in recent days, with rockets fired at Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip and the Israeli military carrying out retaliatory air strikes in Gaza. Media reports said civilians have been killed on both sides.
