Six Foreign Agricultural Workers Injured by Unexploded Ordnance Near Metula Amid Ongoing Northern Border Conflict

On Tuesday morning, an unexploded ordnance detonated in an agricultural field near Metula in northern Israel, injuring six foreign agricultural workers. Two men in their 40s sustained severe multiple injuries and were evacuated to Rambam Hospital, along with another man in his 40s who was moderately injured. Three additional workers with minor injuries were taken to Ziv Hospital. This incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by farmers and agricultural workers along Israel's northern border since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023.

The ongoing conflict has subjected agricultural areas near the border to constant threats including rocket fire, anti-tank missiles, and unexploded ordnance. Several fatal incidents have occurred in recent months: in March 2024, 31-year-old Indian farmer Patnibin Maxwell was killed by an anti-tank missile in the Upper Galilee, with seven others injured; in October 2024, 42-year-old Thai farmer Nisan Miram died from an unexploded ordnance blast near Kibbutz Yiron; later that month, a rocket strike near Metula killed five agricultural workers, including Israeli resident Omer Weinstein and four foreign workers.

In November 2024, 18-year-old Sivan Sade from Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk was killed by shrapnel during a rocket barrage from Lebanon, and three others were injured by a rocket blast in an avocado orchard near Moshav Ben Ami. The latest injuries near Metula add to this grim pattern, highlighting the hazardous conditions under which agricultural work continues in the northern border region.

Dovid Azulai, head of the Metula local council, called on the Israeli government to pursue a diplomatic initiative with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, stating that military action alone cannot eliminate all threats. Dr. Yahel Korlander, chair of Migration and Demography at the Sociological Association and senior lecturer at Tel Hai College, emphasized the vulnerability of foreign workers, particularly Thai laborers, who often work without adequate protection. She stressed the state's responsibility to ensure their safety, health, and rights during and after the conflict, noting that these workers have been disproportionately affected since October 7.