Teenager rescued by IDF after entering minefield in Golan Heights

The 17-year-old boy reportedly entered the minefield intentionally and may be suicidal.

 Renewable energy wind turbines as seen next to the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon on January 3, 2021.  (photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)
Renewable energy wind turbines as seen next to the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon on January 3, 2021.
(photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)

The IDF and law enforcement rescued a 17-year-old boy who entered a minefield in the Golan Heights near Kibbutz Metzar and had refused to leave on Tuesday evening.

The teenager seemed to have entered the minefield intentionally and may be suicidal, Ynet reported. 

Police negotiators on the scene tried to convince the boy to cooperate and be rescued, with IDF engineers on standby to do so if he cooperates.

The boy was in the minefield for several hours before being rescued.

 IDF soldiers rescuing a teenager in a minefield in the Golan Heights, January 24, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF soldiers rescuing a teenager in a minefield in the Golan Heights, January 24, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Minefields in Israel's North

A number of minefields are still present throughout Israel's borders, having been placed there by either the IDF, Syrians or Jordanians. 

Efforts to clear out minefields have been ongoing for several years, and the Israel National Mine Action Authority (INMAA) has reportedly cleared about 33,000 dunams (3,300 hectares) of minefields and unexploded ordnance in the past 10 years.

One large minefield from the Yom Kippur War was recently cleared out by the Defense Ministry in mid-January 2023.