Ma'alot-Tarshiha Lacks School Security Officer Following Fatal Ramim Ridge Blast

Ma'alot-Tarshiha currently lacks an educational institutions security officer following the resignation of Eldad Vaknin earlier this month. Vaknin stepped down after alleging that the mayor disregarded security protocols and allowed unauthorized workers into student zones. According to reports, no preliminary security reconnaissance was conducted prior to the school trip to the Ramim Ridge where a fatal explosion occurred.

The Security Vacuum and Resignation

The security officer is responsible for protecting schools and supervising visitors, as well as approving and overseeing school trips. In conflict zones or the West Bank, officers must conduct preliminary site surveys. Vaknin stated that he refused to cut corners and faced intense pressure to remain silent instead of receiving institutional backing. The Ma'alot-Tarshiha municipality declined to comment on the allegations.

From the first moment, I identified severe flaws and the employment of unapproved personnel in that school. I refused to compromise on safety and faced pressure to be silenced, said former security officer Eldad Vaknin.

The Ramim Ridge Disaster

The tragedy took place during an annual trip by students from the Ort Ma'alot high school along the Ramim Ridge in the Upper Galilee. According to the preliminary investigation, a student found an unexploded Hezbollah cluster bomb and placed it in a backpack. The group walked with the device for approximately two hours before it detonated during a prayer break.

The explosion killed ninth-grader Elazar Yair Vilensky and injured 24 others, including students and teachers, with some in serious condition. Military helicopters, Yahalom combat engineering units, and security forces rushed to the scene to evacuate the groups.

Controversy Over Route Approvals

A dispute emerged regarding responsibility for the approved route. The Ministry of Education stated that the approved itinerary did not include the restricted area and complied with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) regulations prohibiting entry due to war-related infrastructure damage. KKL emphasized that it never approved the trip and that entry was strictly forbidden, though only warning signs rather than physical blockades were posted. Police and military authorities are continuing their investigation into how the students accessed the restricted zone.