Breaking

A 14-year-old student from ORT Maalot high school was killed and 24 others were injured on Thursday after an unexploded cluster munition found during a school trip detonated in a student’s backpack. The incident occurred in the Naftali mountains region near Maalot in northern Israel, an area previously used by the IDF as a gathering point.

According to initial investigations, a student discovered the ordnance during the annual school trip, photographed it, and placed it in their backpack. The munition subsequently detonated, causing multiple casualties. The cluster bomb is believed to contain up to 8 kilograms of explosive material, including non-conventional materials, and could detonate long after initial impact.

The Education Ministry stated the trip was approved and conducted according to procedures with IDF oversight. However, the Jewish National Fund (KKL) clarified that warning signs prohibiting entry to the forest remained in place, as the area has been closed since May 2025 for post-war rehabilitation. Authorities have launched an investigation into whether proper safety protocols were followed for the school outing.

Sources: Ynet, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel

Update 18:02: Initial report of mass-casualty incident from cluster munitions

Update 18:45: A 14-year-old pupil has been killed and 24 students and teachers injured after unexploded ammunition detonated during a school trip in northern Israel, with witnesses reporting teenagers had handled the ordnance before it exploded.