Israel Ministry of Education Approved Trip Where Student Died Despite Closed Trail Warning
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A 14-year-old student was killed and 24 injured in an explosion during a school trip to Ramim Ridge, despite KKL-JNF warnings that the trail was closed due to war damage. The Ministry of Education's situation room approved the trip, even though an explicit warning about the trail's closure was posted online. The incident has also exposed confusion over responsibility for clearing unexploded ordnance in northern Israel. The IDF estimates the explosion was caused by Hezbollah cluster munitions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A student died and 24 were injured in an explosion during a school trip to Ramim Ridge.
- KKL-JNF had warned the Ministry of Education that the trail was closed due to war damage.
- The Ministry of Education's situation room approved the trip despite explicit warnings.
- The IDF believes the explosion was caused by Hezbollah cluster munitions.
- The incident revealed confusion over responsibility for clearing unexploded ordnance in northern Israel.
A 14-year-old student, Elazar Yair Vilensky, was killed and 24 others were injured in an explosion during a school trip to the Ramim Ridge. The trip, organized by the Orot Ma'alot high school, was approved by the Ministry of Education's situation room, despite warnings from KKL-JNF (Jewish National Fund) that the trail was closed due to war damage. KKL-JNF had previously informed the Ministry of Education's trip coordination bureau, operated by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, that the area was unsafe for hikers. An explicit warning stating "Hiking in the site is forbidden due to rehabilitation from war damage" was also posted on the "Tevel" website, which manages trip coordination.
Eyal Ostrovinsky, Chairman of KKL-JNF, confirmed that the forest had not yet been made safe for visitors, citing safety concerns such as damaged infrastructure and burnt trees. He stated that rehabilitation work only began on June 22 and that while the access road is critical for security forces, other areas are still being prepared. Ostrovinsky emphasized that KKL-JNF had communicated the closure to relevant parties, including the Ministry of Education's situation room, which had recently inquired about reopening the site and received a negative response.
The explosion is believed by the IDF to have been caused by cluster munitions fired by Hezbollah during the war. The incident has also highlighted a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in northern Israel. While the Mine and Faller Removal Authority is legally responsible for planning and executing UXO removal, the Ministry of Defense claims it is not obligated to clear ordnance resulting from enemy fire, attributing that task to the police.
Police Inspector General Dany Levi stated that the trip had received all necessary approvals but did not address the police's role in UXO removal. The Mine and Faller Removal Authority currently operates with an acting head, Lt. Col. (res.) Meir Shamir. Of the 24 injured, four are in serious condition, seven in moderate, and 13 in light condition. Journalist Doron Kadosh warned that the danger of unexploded ordnance extends beyond closed trails, with potentially hazardous items remaining in areas opened to the public, underscoring the critical need for public awareness and education.
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