Full coverage· Security· Updated 12:45

Unexploded Ordnance Found Near Beit Shemesh, Controlled Explosion Expected

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, a civilian hiker discovered a suspicious object, believed to be old unexploded military ordnance, in the Eshtaol Forest near Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem. The civilian reported the finding to the police emergency hotline.

8 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 11:58

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Unexploded Ordnance Found Near Beit Shemesh, Controlled Explosion Expected — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01A civilian hiker discovered suspected old unexploded military ordnance in the Eshtaol Forest near Beit Shemesh on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
02Border Police officers from the Mateh Yehuda station secured the area and evacuated nearby residents and bystanders.
03Bomb disposal experts from the Jerusalem District are on-site working to neutralize the unexploded ordnance.
04Authorities warned residents in the vicinity that they may hear a loud noise from an expected controlled explosion.
05No casualties or injuries have been reported following the discovery of the old military munition.
06Police urged the public not to approach, touch, or move any suspicious objects and to report them immediately to the emergency hotline.

Border Police officers from the Mateh Yehuda station and bomb disposal experts from the Jerusalem District responded to the scene. Officers secured and cordoned off the area, evacuating nearby residents and bystanders to ensure public safety.

No casualties have been reported from the incident. Bomb disposal technicians are working to neutralize the device, and authorities have warned residents in the vicinity that they may hear a loud noise from an expected controlled explosion.

Police have urged the public to stay away from the area, warning people not to approach, touch, or move any suspicious objects resembling ammunition, and to report any such findings immediately to the emergency services.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 8 newsrooms. Updated 13:06