School Trip Tragedy: Teenager Killed by Unexploded Ordnance in Northern Israel

A 14-year-old student was killed and dozens more were injured on Monday, October 12, when an unexploded ordnance detonated during a school trip in northern Israel. The incident occurred near the Ramim ridge, close to Kibbutz Yiftach and Manara, an area that has not yet been cleared of explosive devices following the war with Hezbollah. A sign at the entrance to the forest explicitly prohibited entry, stating, "Entry into forests and campsites is strictly forbidden." The bus carrying 50 students and teachers from the ORT Ma'alot-Tarshiha school was photographed parked next to this warning sign. The Jewish National Fund (JNF), which manages the area, confirmed to Ynet that the prohibition remains in effect due to post-war cleanup operations, fires, and the ongoing security situation. The JNF stated that the area has not been declared safe and has not been checked for explosives. However, the Ministry of Education asserted that the trip was organized according to all regulations and under IDF guidance. The IDF is currently investigating whether permission was granted for passage through this specific section near Mitzpe-Peer and if all necessary approvals were obtained. The area is situated near the Lebanese border, having been occupied by IDF units and shelled by Hezbollah during the war. The JNF emphasized that it cannot be definitively stated that the explosion occurred within their jurisdiction, and their staff have not yet been granted access to the site. The JNF also noted that they are not an enforcement agency and cannot physically prevent access to dangerous areas, a responsibility that falls to the police or military. Preliminary assessments by the IDF suggest the device was an old Hezbollah cluster munition. The explosion resulted in one fatality, three severe injuries, ten moderate injuries, and ten light injuries. Police Inspector General Dani Levi stated that lessons will be learned to prevent recurrence, confirming the high probability of a cluster munition. He added that the investigation will determine if the deceased handled the device. Tamir Duadi, a member of the Manara kibbutz self-defense squad, was among the first responders, providing first aid before police and Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived. Paramedics described chaotic scenes with injured students assisting each other. Despite the critical condition of one 14-year-old, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.