One teen killed, others wounded after explosion on Israeli school trip near Lebanon border: news
12-10-2026
Deadly Explosion on Israeli School Trip Near Lebanon Border: What Happened
A tragic explosion occurred along the northern border of Israel, resulting in the death of a teenage student and injuries to over 20 others during an organized school excursion.
The Incident
The blast took place in the Ramim Ridge area near the Naftali Mountains Forest scenic route, close to the border communities of Yiftah and Menara in Upper Galilee. A group of middle and high school students and chaperones from the ORT Ma’alot school were participating in an annual outdoor educational hike when an explosive device detonated.
First responders from Magen David Adom (MDA) and emergency medical teams rushed to the site alongside military helicopters from the Israeli Air Force. Despite resuscitation efforts, one teenage boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Approximately 24 other peoplepredominantly students alongside two adultssustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious due to shrapnel, and were evacuated to regional medical centers, including Ziv Medical Center in Safed.
Suspected Cause: Unexploded Ordnance
Preliminary assessments by Israel Police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicate that the blast was caused by remnant unexploded ordnance (UXO). Initial findings suggest that an unexploded submunition or cluster bomblet fired during past cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah detonated after an individual encountered it on or near the trail.
Specialized military engineering units, including the elite Yahalom Combat Engineering bomb-disposal division, were deployed to comb the area for any secondary unexploded devices and make the terrain safe.
Official Reactions and Safety Inquiries
Israeli defense and government officials expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and wished a full recovery to the injured students and faculty. Following the tragedy, authorities launched a comprehensive review into how the excursion route was approved, with police and education officials assessing temporary suspensions of educational trips and public hikes in northern border zones where wartime munitions may still pose lingering hazards.