Satellite images have revealed accelerated construction activity inside a secretive nuclear facility in the Negev desert, bringing renewed attention to Israel’s nuclear weapons program amid speculation that the new construction could be either a modern nuclear reactor or a facility for assembling nuclear warheads.

According to the Associated Press, the facility, known as the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the city of Dimona, has long been a focal point of suspicions regarding Israel’s nuclear arsenal.

Nuclear energy experts say images captured on July 5 by Planet Labs show a clear escalation in construction pace compared to what was first observed in 2021.

The images reveal thick concrete walls, multi-story infrastructure, and massive cranes operating on site, indicating a large-scale underground project.

Experts Divided on Estimates

Seven nuclear experts who reviewed the images for the Associated Press agreed that the project is likely linked to Israel’s nuclear program due to its proximity to the original Dimona reactor, but they were divided on the nature of the facility under construction.

Three experts suggested the project might be a new heavy water reactor, which would allow the production of plutonium, a key element in nuclear weapons manufacturing.

Four others indicated the facility might be intended for assembling or maintaining nuclear warheads, emphasizing the difficulty of certainty due to limited information and the early stage of construction.

Nuclear nonproliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis said, “The most likely possibility is that what is being built is a nuclear reactor, based on the size, location, and historical context of the facility. It’s hard to imagine it being something else.”

Israeli Secrecy

The Israeli government has remained completely silent about the project and has issued no official comment despite repeated media inquiries. The White House, Israel’s closest ally, also declined to comment.

Israel is one of the few countries that has not joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), giving it room to continue its nuclear activities without direct oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has confirmed it is not authorized to inspect the Dimona facility, except for the Soreq research reactor.

Possible Motives for New Construction

Analysts believe the construction could be a replacement for the current reactor, which dates back to the 1960s and has operated longer than most reactors of the same generation.

Some also suggest the project aims to produce tritium, used to enhance the power of nuclear warheads, especially since this material decays at a rate of 5 percent annually.

Nuclear safety expert Edwin Lyman suggests the “new construction might be a reactor with a different design than the traditional one, possibly without a containment dome. But the lack of information makes all of this speculative.”

Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, said, “If the facility is for producing plutonium or tritium, it is either intended to maintain nuclear readiness or to expand the arsenal.”