Israeli Student Killed and 24 Injured in Explosion on Ramim Ridge

Education Minister Yoav Kisch addressed the tragic incident on the Ramim Ridge in the Upper Galilee, where a 14-year-old student from the ORT Ma'alot high school was killed and 24 others were injured. Preliminary checks indicate that the trip was approved in advance, and all routes and guidelines were vetted. However, Kisch confirmed that an explicit warning regarding unexploded ordnance was included in the pre-trip briefing.

Suspension of Trips and Safety Review

Following the incident, the Education Minister announced a 48-hour suspension of planned school trips in confrontation line areas and the northern Golan Heights to allow for a reassessment of risks and safety protocols.

"Regarding the trips, an initial check shows the trip was approved, all guidelines were reviewed, including the route. The briefing included a warning about unexploded ordnance, and this will likely accompany us for a long time," said Education Minister Yoav Kisch.

According to the Ministry of Education, trips planned in these areas for the coming days will be diverted to alternative routes. In all other parts of the country, school trips will proceed as scheduled, with heightened vigilance regarding unexploded ordnance.

Hospital Visits and Emotional Support

The Education Minister visited the wounded at Ziv Medical Center in Safed and subsequently joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa to visit additional victims.

"This is a difficult and painful incident in the north. I share in the deep sorrow of the family of the student who was killed," Kisch stated. The ministry has also activated an emotional support network, deploying educational psychologists to assist students, affected families, and school staff at ORT Ma'alot.

Details of the Explosion

The tragedy occurred around midday on the Ramim Ridge when a suspected cluster bomb, allegedly left behind by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, detonated. Emergency forces rushed to the scene and attempted resuscitation on the 14-year-old boy, but were ultimately forced to pronounce him dead.

Twenty-four other individuals were injured and evacuated to hospitals, including Rambam in Haifa, Ziv in Safed, and the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. Among the injured were two 14-year-old boys in serious condition with shrapnel wounds, ten moderately injured victims, and twelve others with minor injuries.