Over the past five decades, Israel has repeatedly bombed nuclear plants in Iraq, Syria, and Iran. In any case, this article explains what could happen if a missile or other highly destructive projectile hits the containment building of a nuclear reactor. Nuclear Reactors Can’t Explode Like an Atomic BombThe nuclear power plants used by many countries to generate electricity are designed for long-term safety and resilience. To damage a nuclear reactor, a missile or bomb would first have to breach this structure. Another essential component of a nuclear reactor is the cooling system.