Israel Ministry of Education Approved Hike Despite KKL Warning
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
A high school student was killed during a hike in northern Israel that was approved by the Ministry of Education despite a warning from the Israel Land Authority (KKL) about war damage and a prohibition on the route. The incident has sparked questions about the trip approval process and responsibility for clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO). While the IDF conducted a large-scale UXO clearance operation in late 2024, no similar efforts have been reported for civilian areas since the ceasefire. Disputes exist between the police and the Ministry of Defense regarding UXO clearance responsibility.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A student died on a Ministry of Education-approved hike in northern Israel despite KKL's warning of danger.
- The route was marked as forbidden on the Ministry of Education's trip coordination site due to war damage.
- Questions arise over trip approval processes and handling of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in northern Israel.
- Responsibility for clearing UXO is disputed between the police and the Ministry of Defense.
- Over one million shekels were reportedly spent on UXO awareness campaigns in 2025-2026.
- The Mine and UXO Disposal Authority is currently managed by an acting head.
A hike where a high school student, Elazar Yair Vilensky, was killed, was marked as forbidden on the Ministry of Education's trip coordination site. The Israel Land Authority (KKL) had notified the trip coordination office that the area was closed due to war damage. Despite this warning, the Ministry of Education's situation room approved the trip, raising serious questions about the approval process and the handling of remaining dangers in northern Israel.
KKL's notification followed damage to the Ramim Ridge and Mount Naphtali from rocket fire during the war. While the notice did not specifically mention unexploded ordnance (UXO), the "Nature Watch" website, used for trip coordination, explicitly stated: "Hiking in the area is forbidden due to rehabilitation from war damage." The incident has also highlighted disputes over responsibility for clearing UXO in open areas, a task shared by the police, IDF, and the Ministry of Defense's Mine and UXO Disposal Authority.
While the IDF reported a large-scale operation to clear UXO in over 40 northern communities at the end of 2024, no similar operation for civilian areas has been reported since the ceasefire. The Ministry of Defense claims its authority is not responsible for clearing enemy-fired ordnance, assigning that duty to the police. However, the Mine and UXO Disposal Authority's own documents define its activities as locating and destroying unexploded ordnance in combat and training zones.
Police Commissioner Dany Levy confirmed the hike received necessary approvals but did not address the UXO responsibility issue. Regarding public awareness, the Ministry of Defense stated over one million shekels were invested in campaigns about mines and UXO in 2025 and 2026. However, the Authority's financial reports show no budget allocated for public UXO awareness in 2024, with the Ministry explaining the funds were deferred due to wartime closures. The Authority itself is currently managed by an acting head, reserve Lieutenant Colonel Meir Shamir.
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