A powerful explosion triggered by unexploded ordnance in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon has reportedly injured around 20 people, according to local police authorities. The incident occurred on Monday in the vicinity of the Neot Mordechai community, situated strategically between Kibbutz Manara and Kibbutz Yiftach.

Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, stated that paramedics were actively treating eight casualties whose conditions ranged from serious to moderate, alongside several additional victims sustaining minor injuries. Police officers from the Kiryat Shmona station swiftly cordoned off and secured the area, while specialized bomb disposal teams launched an investigation into the precise circumstances and origin of the blast.

Reports indicate that the explosion took place close to a group of individuals who were allegedly picnicking or hiking in the volatile border region. Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition, amplifying concerns over lingering hazards from past and ongoing military engagements in the area.

Commentators point out that the explosion serves as a stark reminder that northern Israel, Upper Galilee, and the Lebanese border zone remain heavily militarized sectors where thousands of munitions have been deployed over recent years. The event purportedly mobilized the Israeli regime's political echelon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading toward the site, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reportedly canceled a scheduled political engagement in response to the crisis.

Source: www.aljazeera.com