One killed and 20 injured in unexploded munition blast in northern Israel

A teenager was killed and about 20 others were injured Monday in an explosion near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, according to rescuers and police.

According to police and Israeli media, a group of students and teachers from a religious high school, who were hiking near Neot-Mordechai, opposite Mais al-Jabal (in the Marjayoun district of southern Lebanon), were caught in the detonation of an unexploded munition that was on their route. Authorities described it as a "serious incident," and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a media appearance to get updated on the developments, his office said.

"About 20 people were injured to various degrees" in the explosion, police said in a statement. Initial findings indicate that "the detonation was caused by an unexploded munition," the statement added. Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, said its teams were treating on the scene "eight people in serious or moderate condition, as well as several others with minor injuries." "This is a complex incident" and the injured "will be transported to the hospital as soon as possible," the organization added.

The military said it had deployed soldiers and helicopters to assist with evacuation. The army also announced it was seeking "to determine whether the excursion had received the required permits." "For all sites and routes open to the general public, the army is required to inspect the area and clear any unexploded ordnance in advance," a statement said. The type of munition that exploded and its source were not immediately known.

Northern Israel has in recent months been the scene of several rocket, missile, and drone attacks from neighboring Lebanon in the context of clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah. Projectiles fired sometimes fail to explode on impact, which can pose a danger years later when civilians handle them or approach them unknowingly.

Near Neot-Mordechai, the Ramim site houses an Israeli army barracks that has been struck several times by Hezbollah during conflicts with Israel since 2023.

Un mort et une vingtaine d'Israéliens blessés dans une explosion dans le nord, près de la frontière avec le Liban