The Strauss ice cream plant in Acre has ceased operations due to Home Front Command directives amid heightened tensions in northern Israel and potential Hezbollah retaliation for the assassination of its top commander, Ynet learned on Wednesday.
The plant, owned by Unilever, uses ammonia gas for its operations. Other facilities using hazardous materials have also been instructed to empty and remove explosive gas reserves to mitigate public risk in the event of targeted strikes from Lebanon.
The Acre plant is the sole facility in Israel producing Strauss ice cream. Home Front Command ordered the plant management to limit the amount of ammonia gas stored on-site as part of emergency measures. Without ammonia, which is essential for cooling production systems and freezers, ice cream production cannot continue.
Plant officials said that if the shutdown lasts only a few days, there should be no ice cream shortages, as there are sufficient summer stockpiles. "Following Home Front Command directives, we are temporarily halting operations at the Strauss ice cream plant in Acre," Unilever confirmed.
Meanwhile, Hazor HaGlilit Council Head Michael Kabesa urged Home Front Command officers to also drain the ammonia tanks at the Pri HaGalil food plant within the municipality, citing potential risks to residents.
"The situation is heating up, and we must avoid being caught unprepared. The assassinations and expected Hezbollah response indicate a high potential for escalation, and we must be ready in advance," Kabesa told Ynet.
Following Hezbollah's involvement in the war after Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, factories in evacuated areas like Kiryat Shmona minimized ammonia usage to mitigate environmental risks.
"The Home Front Command maintains continuous contact with all plants in its jurisdiction, conducting daily inspections and regular assessments with local authorities and the Environmental Protection Ministry to ensure preparedness and a full understanding of hazardous material stock levels," the IDF said.