Northern Israel Cluster Bomb Attack Kills Teen, Injures Dozens

Initial investigations suggest that students found the unexploded munition, which is believed to have been a Hezbollah cluster bomb that fell in the area weeks earlier. After students took photos with the device, Wilensky placed it in his backpack, where it subsequently detonated. The explosion killed Wilensky instantly and injured 24 others, including students and teachers. Among the injured, three were left in serious condition, while others sustained moderate to light injuries.

Following the incident, the IDF declared a mass-casualty event and dispatched medical evacuation helicopters. The injured were transported to Ziv Medical Center in Safed and Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, where several underwent surgery. The IDF conducted searches in the area and discovered additional unexploded ordnance, with Northern Command estimating that thousands of such items remain scattered across northern Israel.

The tragedy has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the approval of hiking routes in former combat zones. While the route had been approved by the Ministry of Education's situation room and security services, the trip proceeded despite a Jewish National Fund sign prohibiting entry to the area due to rehabilitation work. In response, the Ministry of Education has rerouted planned trips to former combat zones, and authorities are working to map and clear hazardous areas.