Student Killed, 25 Injured in Unexploded Ordnance Blast During School Trip

Elazar Yair Wilensky, a student, was killed and 25 others were injured, six seriously, when unexploded ordnance detonated during a school trip in the Ramim Ridge area. Wilensky was buried on Wednesday in Ma'alot Tarshiha. His mother, Judith, eulogized him, saying, "Too short, but it was so full and beautiful. You loved life, and life loved you back. You loved nature and trips from an early age." His father spoke of his son's love for Israel and sports, and his brother Dov recalled Wilensky's energetic and social nature, and his desire to explore the Golan Heights. The family described him as "a child of life, smart and wise, full of joy, a good and beloved friend, whose entire future was still ahead of him."

Of the 25 injured, six sustained serious wounds and were evacuated to hospitals in Nahariya, Safed, and Haifa. Initial investigations suggest a student picked up ordnance, possibly a cluster bomb, and placed it in their bag, leading to the explosion. The Ministry of Education stated that the trip route was not in an area prohibited due to war damage and that safety instructions, including not touching unexploded ordnance, were provided. The ministry is investigating the circumstances and the actual route taken.

One injured student described hearing a "crazy explosion" and being thrown backward, seeing blood from his legs and hands amidst screams. Another parent recounted his son hearing the blast and fleeing, witnessing traumatic sights. He confirmed that all necessary approvals for the trip were obtained from the Ministry of Education and the Nature and Parks Authority.

Despite the Ministry of Education's approval, the Jewish National Fund (JNF) had previously posted signs prohibiting travel in the Naftali Mountains Ridge due to concerns about such incidents. In response to the tragedy, Minister Kish announced that educational trips in the area have been suspended for 48 hours.