Israeli teen killed, 23 wounded in apparent detonation of unexploded Hezbollah munition near Lebanese border

Some 24 Israeli teachers and schoolchildren were wounded, including one who succumbed to his wounds, when an unexploded submunition left over from a Hezbollah rocket exploded near the Lebanese border on Tuesday.

Among the wounded were two in serious and three in moderate condition, with at least another 15 of the injured in good condition, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service. The police later updated that 24 people overall were injured to varying degrees.

“Following the explosion in northern Israel, an initial review by IDF soldiers at the scene indicates that the explosion was likely caused by an unexploded cluster munition belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that had remained in the area,” the military stated.

According to Army Radio, an initial investigation suggests that one of the students found the munition during a break and put it in his backpack. Shortly afterward, it suddenly exploded.

The Israeli military confirms that the ordnance that exploded on children and teachers during a school hike in the Ramim Ridge area in northern Israel was likely a cluster submunition from a Hezbollah rocket. "An initial investigation by IDF forces at the site indicates that it was likely a cluster bomb belonging to the Hezbollah terror organization that had been left in the area and exploded," the military says. The IDF says the incident is under further review, and that army sappers are continuing to scan the area. Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levi also tells reporters at the scene that police sappers have determined that the ordnance was likely a submunition from a Hezbollah rocket. Also speaking at the scene, commander of the Israel Police's Northern District, Dep. Comm. Meir Eliyahu, says that the ordnance exploded "in the hands" of one of the schoolchildren who were hiking along the Naftali Mountains Forest scenic route, killing one and injuring 24 others. The hike had been approved by authorities, according to Levi, who adds that he will issue an order limiting hikes in the area for several days until it is confirmed that the route is clear of any ordnance.

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 12, 2026

The school trip had been organized by the ORT religious high school from the town of Ma’alot-Tarshiha. The group was hiking on the Ramim Ridge, near the Pe’er Observation spot close to the town of Manara, in the Upper Galilee Panhandle.

The IDF noted that it would investigate whether all necessary permits had been issued beforehand, though the mayor of Ma’alot told i24 News that “The trip set off along the Israel National Trail with all the required permits.”

Police Commissioner Danny Levy also told media outlets, “There is an established procedure for trips, including in this area. To the best of my understanding, this trip received approval from the relevant authorities.”

He stressed that “In the coming days, we will reduce or suspend school trips to ensure that they do not put children at risk.”

An Israeli teenager was killed, and 19 other people were wounded in an ordnance explosion during a high school field trip in northern Israel, near the Lebanese border. The IDF believes the ordnance was an unexploded submunition from a Hezbollah cluster rocket. https://t.co/vZn5YFFAbe

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) October 12, 2026

The sudden explosion close to the border, as well as the mass casualty event that followed, triggered a massive military mobilization.

Three IDF helicopters were rushed to the scene with the IDF’s elite rescue teams from Unit 669, as well as bomb disposal teams from the Yahalom Commando Unit, the 82nd battalion medical company, and several other units from the 9th Brigade and the 91st Division, which were deployed throughout the sector.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was updated about the incident and convened security assessments. His office stated he “asked to ensure that the injured are being evacuated as quickly as possible to hospitals and is continuing to hold ongoing assessments.”

Photos show the submunition from a Hezbollah rocket before it exploded on children and teachers during a school hike in the Ramim Ridge area, killing a teenager and wounding 24. https://t.co/Zfa2PlBG2x

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 12, 2026

Defense Minister Israel Katz sent his “deepest condolences to the family of the teenager who was killed in the explosion during the trip near the northern border.”

He emphasized that “IDF forces are at the scene, assisting the rescue teams, and will continue to provide assistance as needed. The incident is being investigated to determine the circumstances, and I thank all the teams on the ground who are working to save lives and treat the injured. At this difficult time, my heart goes out to the family, the injured, and their loved ones.”

According to Ynet News, the area of the incident is very close to the border and previously hosted assembly areas for IDF units that were fired upon by Hezbollah throughout the war.

Kiryat Shmona police station commander Elad Ben Lulu told Ynet that the munition that exploded was “probably” relatively small, “but it’s still impossible to know. The professional teams are examining the scene, and I hope we get to the truth as quickly as possible. All the injured have been evacuated, life-saving treatment has been provided, and all the injured have been evacuated.”

The father of one of the students said, “I spoke with my son. He was probably just a few meters away from the explosion. We still don’t know which class was affected. Everyone is stressed, and no one knows who was injured. It’s a school trip along the Israel National Trail. They started it today. Suddenly, they heard an explosion, and he ran away. They’re waiting there to be evacuated. His group of students was not affected.”