One person was killed and 19 were injured, some seriously, when unexploded ordnance detonated in the area of Kibbutz Yiftah in the Upper Galilee. Large emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene.
A group of teachers and students hiking near Mitzpe Pe'er on the Ramim Ridge apparently stepped on unexploded ordnance, causing it to detonate. Magen David Adom (MDA) teams are treating the injured at the scene.
Seven of the injured were seriously and moderately injured, and the rest were lightly injured. One of the critically injured victims died from his wounds.
The IDF estimates that the item that exploded was a cluster bomb launched by Hezbollah towards the area during the war, which remained in the area without exploding. Cluster bombs are scattered over a wide area, and some of them may not explode when they hit the ground. Such bombs may remain dangerous even long after they are launched.
The disaster occurred during a field trip in which students and teachers from the Ort Ma'alot yeshiva high school participated.
MDA stated: "At 2:53 p.m., a report was received at MDA's 101 emergency dispatch center in the Jordan region regarding people injured in an explosion in an open area of the Upper Galilee Regional Council. MDA EMTs and paramedics are providing medical treatment at the scene to casualties with varying degrees of injuries."
MDA Director General Eli Bin reported that "two people are seriously injured at the scene, two seriously injured, and the rest are moderately injured. In total, there are 12 injured."
MDA Regional Director Itzik Shushan said: "Upon receiving the report of an explosion in an open area of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, we quickly dispatched large numbers of ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and an MDA helicopter to the scene. When we arrived, we found several casualties with varying degrees of injuries. We immediately began providing medical treatment at the scene to eight people in serious and moderate condition, as well as additional casualties with minor injuries. This is a complex incident. We are continuing to provide medical treatment to the injured at the scene and evacuate them to the hospital as quickly as possible."
The IDF stated: "Following reports of an explosion in northern Israel, IDF soldiers are at the scene to provide assistance, and Israeli Air Force helicopters are en route. The circumstances of the incident are under review."