While walking on the outskirts of Safed, two young children found a grenade from the British Mandate era embedded in the ground. Innocently curious, they picked it up and placed it in an empty snack bag to take home.
A soldier on duty noticed the children carrying a suspicious bag and intervened. Upon inspection, he identified the item as an old grenade and quickly alerted the police bomb squad.
“Even though it’s decades old, this grenade could still have detonated, leading to a tragic accident,” said Sergeant Roi Cohen of the Safed Police. Thanks to the soldier’s vigilance, no harm was caused. The bomb squad safely removed and disposed of the grenade.
This rare find highlights a broader concern as residents begin to return to northern communities following the ongoing war.
Authorities anticipate the discovery of numerous dangerous remnants, ranging from unexploded grenades to military equipment left behind in open areas or temporary military camps. "We foresee thousands of these items being found, posing significant risks," added Cohen.
A cautionary tale
A tragic example of these risks occurred recently in Kibbutz Yiron, where Nisant Miram, a Thai agricultural worker, was killed after driving over an unexploded grenade with his tractor.
Authorities have since increased public awareness campaigns, urging residents to stay vigilant, especially children.
Police warn to not approach suspicious items, photograph them from a safe distance, and immediately notify the police.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers of wartime debris and the need for heightened caution in post-conflict zones.