Boy Killed, 24 Injured in Northern Israel by Unexploded Ordnance Blast

A 14-year-old boy was killed and 24 students and teachers were injured on Monday when unexploded ordnance detonated during a school trip in the Galilee's Ramim Ridge. Police and the IDF are investigating the possibility that the device was a Hezbollah cluster munition that had been placed in a student's backpack.

The incident occurred during an annual trip for 7th to 9th graders from the "Orot" Technological High School in Ma'alot, which had been approved by the Ministry of Education and the IDF. During the hike, students found the ordnance, and one of them reportedly placed it in his bag. Shortly after, it exploded, causing casualties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch visited the injured students and their families at Ziv Hospital in Safed and Rambam Hospital in Haifa. Kisch stated that the trip had received all necessary approvals and emphasized the importance of caution. He also announced that school trips in conflict zones and the northern Golan Heights would be rerouted for the next two days, with heightened safety instructions issued nationwide.

One father, Galil, recounted that his son had sent him a picture of the ordnance before the explosion, describing how students were excited, took photos with it, and that one of them put it in his bag. "It exploded when the bag was on the side," he said, noting the shrapnel injuries sustained by many.

MDA emergency services and military forces pronounced the 14-year-old boy dead at the scene after resuscitation efforts failed. The 24 injured, including two in serious condition, were evacuated to hospitals. The tragedy has deeply affected the school community, which is still mourning the loss of a teacher's son in recent combat. The school is providing psychological support to students and staff.

Authorities have secured the area and are investigating the circumstances. The head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council criticized the lack of preparedness for trips in the area and called for government resources for pre-trip safety surveys in conflict zones where unexploded ordnance is prevalent.