Israeli Student Killed, Dozens Injured in Unexploded Ordnance Blast During School Trip

An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the death of a student and injuries to 24 others during a school trip on the Ramim Ridge near the Lebanese border. The incident occurred on October 12 near the Mitzpe-Pe'er observation point, close to Kibbutz Yiftah, when an explosive device detonated. The victims were seventh to ninth graders from the ORT-Ma'alot religious school on their annual hike along the Israel Trail.

The deceased has been identified as Yair Elazar Wilensky, a ninth-grader from Ma'alot Tarshiha. Among the 24 injured, two teenagers sustained severe wounds, and ten others suffered moderate injuries. They were evacuated to Ziv, Rambam, and Galilee Medical Center hospitals. According to preliminary findings, a student found a small metal object, possibly an unexploded ordnance, placed it in his backpack, and it detonated later during a rest stop. Eitan Masori, a 14-year-old who was injured, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a student had begun unscrewing the object, causing the explosion.

A key question in the investigation is whether the students were adequately warned about the danger of unexploded ordnance. Some participants claim teachers did not inform them of this possibility. However, Education Minister Yoav Kisch stated that a warning was part of the pre-trip briefing and that initial checks showed no procedural violations in approving the trip, which was coordinated with the IDF. The exact nature of the briefing and whether students were explicitly told about the lethal danger of found metal objects remains unclear.

The Ministry of Education's situational center confirmed the route was officially approved and followed IDF guidelines. However, the army is still investigating whether the specific area of the explosion was cleared for passage and met safety requirements. The Jewish National Fund (JNF) had posted a warning sign about restricted access to forests due to war remnants near the area, but the students entered from a different side without a visible sign. The JNF is questioning how the ministry approved the route despite the warnings.

Following the blast, IDF sappers discovered additional unexploded cluster submunitions nearby. Some students reportedly saw similar objects during the hike and may have collected more than one. The IDF suspects the device was a Hezbollah cluster submunition from a past conflict. The military is examining its origin, noting that thousands of unexploded ordnance items may remain in northern Israel from years of conflict, posing a persistent danger.

In response to the tragedy, Minister Kisch ordered a 48-hour suspension of school trips in border areas and the northern Golan Heights, effective October 13-14. Existing groups were instructed to leave these areas and arrange alternative routes. Schools nationwide have been reminded of safety protocols for handling unexploded ordnance. The police and IDF continue their investigation into the accessibility of the dangerous area, its inspection by sappers, and responsibility for student safety briefings.