School Trip Tragedy: Unexploded Ordnance Kills Teen, Injures 23, Sparks Knesset Probe

A 14-year-old Israeli student was killed and 23 others were injured by an unexploded cluster munition during a school excursion in northern Israel. The incident occurred on a route officially approved for school trips, raising serious questions about the oversight of demining efforts and the safety of such excursions.

Attention has focused on the parliamentary subcommittee responsible for monitoring demining operations, headed by Likud MK Nissim Vaturi. Records indicate the subcommittee held only two meetings during the 25th Knesset session, in May 2024 and July 2025, neither of which addressed the specific threat of unexploded ordnance from Hezbollah rocket fire. The last meeting concerned clearing Jordanian mines from Canada Park.

MK Vaturi defended his work, stating he engaged with the Demining Authority independently due to other parliamentarians' absence from meetings. He claimed to have visited minefields and supervised work on Israel's eastern border and the Golan Heights, and mentioned a NIS 12 million project for Canada Park. However, these explanations have not allayed concerns about the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.

Opposition leader Yair Golan criticized the government's approach, calling it "hoping for a miracle." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch visited the injured students at Rambam Hospital. Children recounted the panic and confusion following the explosion.

Further questions have arisen regarding the supervision of the students. Reports suggest the children found a suspicious object, handled it, and took photos before it exploded, with no adult intervention. The students also appeared unaware of the danger posed by the object, despite ongoing hostilities. The Ministry of Education is considering canceling school trips in northern Israel, with some parents demanding a nationwide ban until dangerous areas are cleared.