By David Israel • October 12, 2026
Jerusalem, 12 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A 14-year-old boy was killed, and three people were seriously wounded when unexploded ordnance blew up near Mitzpeh Pe’err on the Ramim Ridge in northern Israel. The three seriously wounded victims were evacuated by military and civilian helicopters directly to medical centers in northern Israel, including Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. Approximately 16 additional people were also wounded in the blast.
A student is reported to have picked up the unexploded ordnance, which detonated near a group of middle-school students and teachers on a hike.
The group, from the ORT Maalot Yeshiva High School, was on its annual trip in the Mitzpe Pe’er area near Yiftah, close to the Lebanese border. The students were in grades 7 to 9.
Magen David Adom said its emergency line received the first report at 14:53. Those injured included one person in critical condition, who was later pronounced dead, three seriously wounded, one moderately hurt, and the rest lightly injured. At least three casualties were airlifted directly to hospital. An MDA spokesman said 15 teens were also being examined at the scene.
Accounts from the scene say a student found the ordnance during the hike, put it in his bag and carried it for some time before it exploded.
Preliminary assessments in the defense establishment point to an unexploded cluster bomb that Hezbollah fired at Israel during the recent war. The IDF said the circumstances were under review.
Air Force helicopters brought in rescue teams from Unit 669, along with bomb disposal specialists, to deal with the device that exploded and to look for others. Soldiers began sweeping the wider area to make sure no more munitions were left that could endanger hikers. Police closed off the scene, and police bomb disposal officers are investigating where the explosive came from.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch called the incident “an extremely difficult event” and asked the public not to spread unverified details while the facts were still being established. The ministry said it was working with security forces to support students, school staff and their families.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a scheduled appearance at an evening event. His office said he spoke with MDA director Eli Bin, his military secretary, and Minister Kisch.
The Maalot-Tarshiha municipality said Mayor Moti Ben David and city teams went straight to the scene and were coordinating with emergency and education officials. It said it would release verified details when it had a full picture.
Unexploded munitions in the north have long been a hazard for hikers, and the military regularly warns the public not to touch suspicious objects. Anyone who finds one should keep away, warn others, and call the police.
