Syrian Grenade Wounds Four IDF Soldiers: The Untold Story
Four IDF soldiers were injured in the Syrian Mount Hermon region when an old Syrian grenade unexpectedly detonated during a weapons search operation. The incident, which occurred during a mission to locate and secure munitions, is under investigation to understand why the grenade was handled rather than neutralized on-site.
This morning, August 20, 2025, four Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers from Battalion 299 were lightly injured when an old Syrian grenade detonated during a weapons search operation in the Syrian Mount Hermon region, several kilometers from Israeli territory. The soldiers, part of a task force conducting a routine sweep for munitions, spotted a hand grenade in the area they were searching. While attempting to collect the grenade for transport, it unexpectedly exploded, wounding the four soldiers. They were promptly evacuated by an Israeli Air Force helicopter to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, where they received treatment and were later released. The IDF has launched an investigation to determine why the soldiers handled the unstable munition instead of neutralizing it on-site.
The operation began on Monday, with troops from the 226th Brigade, under the 210th Division, collaborating with field investigators from Unit 504. The mission aimed to locate and secure weapons in villages across the Syrian Hermon region. A preliminary investigation revealed that the soldiers, alongside combat engineers from the Yahalom unit, were inspecting military equipment when the incident occurred. According to eyewitness accounts, the grenade detonated after soldiers opened and closed a crate during the process of cataloging and loading munitions onto trucks. The IDF emphasized that the soldiers' families were notified immediately and that the investigation would focus on operational protocols to prevent similar incidents.
This incident follows a tragic event last month, where Sergeant Amit Cohen, a 19-year-old soldier from Holon serving in Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade, was killed in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, due to the explosion of a piece of ordnance. A combat officer was also severely injured in that incident, initially suspected to be caused by an anti-tank missile but later attributed to an explosive device in a building occupied by IDF troops. The recurring nature of such incidents underscores the dangers of handling old or unstable munitions in conflict zones.
The Mount Hermon region, strategically significant due to its proximity to Israel, has seen increased IDF activity, including the recent apprehension of a weapons dealer in Taranjah, southern Syria. The operation, based on intelligence and surveillance, led to the seizure of additional munitions. The IDF continues to monitor the area closely, balancing operational objectives with the safety of its personnel.
