It was a tragic hike for the Yuval family of Hod HaSharon, hoping to show their five children snowfall which accumulated in the north, but the day ended in the trauma unit of Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.

The family was hiking in the area, enjoying the fresh white coating when suddenly, at about 1:30pm, a powerful explosion was heard. Daniel, 11, stepped on a landmine, triggering the powerful blast, which tore away his right leg below the knee, and seriously injuring his left leg and sending shrapnel into his body and that of his older sister Amit, 12. Their father, Guy, realized what had happened and immediately ran to rescue his children, carrying them out of the area. Miraculously he extricated all five children out of the mine field without causing additional explosions.

In the meantime, an MDA chopper was dispatched and the seriously injured Daniel and his moderately injured sister, Amit, were transported to the trauma unit of Rambam.

Paramedic Barak Wittenberg reports the children were not hysterical, and they were both conscious during treatment and transport.

Surgeons worked on the children, amputating Daniel’s right leg and working to save his left. They also worked to remove shrapnel from the bodies of both children. Daniel’s condition is listed as ‘slightly improved’ on Sunday morning.

The parents declined to speak with reporters, but released a statement via family members, from their children’s bedsides, questioning why there were no signs indicating the area was mined. They explained the area was open and other people were walking around as they were. Family members add they have photographs proving there were no warning signs in the area.

GOLAN HEIGHTS REMAINS CONCENTRATED WITH MINES

According to area residents, who are less surprised, the Golan Heights is the most concentrated area in the world regarding mines, with over 2,000 in the area, and some locals state the border fence of their communities is the actual border fence of minefields. Hundreds of minefields have never been cleared and today, most feel this will not occur due to budgetary considerations.

Officials explain there are dozens of such incidents annually, some ending less tragically.

While many of the mines remain from the days the area was under Syria control, some of the mines were placed by the IDF following the 1967 Six Day War. This was the case on shabbos. The mine that detonated was an anti-personnel mine set to detonate with 6kg of pressure.

Experts report that many minefields have been cleared but the problem is more complex, and it is not just about money, explaining the anti-personnel mines are small, some the size of cellular telephones and the exact location of many mines is unknown. This is due to the many years that have passed, rain storms, land shifting and other factors. Officials add that in keeping with international law, minefields are surrounded by barbed wire, in addition to signs warning the public, in three languages, Hebrew, Arabic and English.

CLEAR THE FIELDS

This latest tragic incident, which resulted in injuries to two children, has prompted a renewed wave of demands to remove the minefields once and for all.

Northern area officials warn that visitors must remain on marked roads and paths only, and one should never veer off to unchartered areas since as seen this week, there are mines. Visitors are urged to never jump over fences and partitions, and to refrain from throwing rocks and other objects into minefields.

An official involved in the investigation spoke with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) host Razi Barkai and explained that most of all, he hopes the children will recover but he pointed out that investigation is still ongoing, but it should be pointed out the family climbed over a barbed wire fence to enter the area.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)