Student Killed in Northern Israel by Unexploded Ordnance After Group Deviated From Approved Route

A student was killed and 23 others were injured by an unexploded ordnance during a school trip in northern Israel, after the group apparently strayed from their approved route into a forbidden area. The Ministry of Education stated that the area where the incident occurred in the Naftali Mountains was prohibited for trips due to war-related safety concerns, and that the students had deviated from the approved itinerary. KKL-JNF (Jewish National Fund) had recently placed signs warning against entry into the forest due to safety hazards. Despite these warnings, the group entered the forest, seemingly contrary to the plan approved for the trip. The exact reason for the deviation is unclear, but it may stem from confusion between two sections of the Israel Trail, one of which is prohibited while the other is permitted. A veteran teacher explained that while KKL-JNF forests do not mandate sticking to marked paths, specific areas can be off-limits for security reasons. The Chairman of KKL-JNF, Eyal Ostrovsky, confirmed that the organization had warned all parties about entering the forest, which remains dangerous due to infrastructure issues and unexploded ordnance. He stated that KKL-JNF had been working to clear the area since June 22nd and had informed the Ministry of Education's situation room that the site was not yet open. The Ministry of Education clarified that the trip's approval was in line with KKL-JNF's guidelines and that the planned route did not pass through the restricted area. Safety instructions, including a strict prohibition on touching ordnance and a requirement to report it immediately, were provided. The circumstances of the incident and the actual route taken are currently under investigation by the IDF and police, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and relevant professional bodies. The Ministry of Education will continue to review activity approval protocols and safety guidelines.