Teenager Killed, Dozens Injured in Unexploded Ordnance Blast Near Lebanon Border

A 15-year-old boy, Yair Wilensky, was killed on Monday by an unexploded ordnance (UXO) blast while on a three-day educational hike along the Israel National Trail in the Upper Galilee. Yair, the youngest of five siblings, was described by his family as a "child of life, smart and wise, full of joy, a good and beloved friend, whose entire future was ahead of him." He was a ninth-grader at the Orot Ma'alot high school and a former competitive fencer.

The incident occurred near Mitzpe Pa'ar in the Upper Galilee, where the students had stopped for a meal. The group reportedly did not notice a sign warning of UXO and prohibiting entry to the area. In addition to Yair's death, three other students were seriously injured, ten sustained moderate injuries, and ten more were lightly injured. The students displayed remarkable resilience, with some applying tourniquets to each other and one performing CPR on a friend. One injured teen even video-called his father for instructions on how to create a tourniquet due to severe bleeding from shrapnel wounds.

Victims were evacuated to multiple hospitals. Rambam Medical Center reported a 61-year-old teacher underwent surgery and is in serious condition, while one teenager is in moderate condition with a shrapnel wound to the neck. The Galilee Medical Center treated six patients, with Dr. Nadav Slyper, Director of Pediatric Surgery, explaining that the injuries were complex, involving blast effects and shrapnel. He noted that while the cluster bomb appeared small, it was powerful and dangerous, with small fragments penetrating deep into bodies and potentially hitting vital organs. Most patients at Galilee Medical Center were stable and expected to be released within days.

Ziv Medical Center in Safed admitted 13 patients, with two in serious but stable condition in pediatric intensive care after surgery, one of whom is sedated and ventilated. Two adults are in mild to moderate condition in adult surgery, and nine children are in mild condition. The Ministry of Education stated that the trip had received approval through its computerized system, which coordinates with security bodies and weather forecasts. The IDF Northern Command is responsible for clearing areas where hikers are permitted.

Questions have arisen regarding the responsibility for clearing the area and the risks associated with proximity to the Lebanon border. Experts emphasize that these areas are often used by IDF forces and are subject to enemy fire during wartime, increasing the risk of UXO. The IDF is responsible for clearing areas accessible to hikers, and warnings are typically posted in areas where entry is prohibited. The Ministry of Education conducts surprise checks to ensure schools adhere to safety protocols during trips.