Hikers Encounter Bomb in a Book near Gaza Border

Photo Credit: Eshkol Region Spokesperson

A group of hikers in southern Israel discovered a bomb hidden in a book on Saturday while they were out for a walk along a riverbed at Kibbutz Re’im near the Gaza border.

Israel Police were called to the scene, along with sappers from the bomb squad, to examine the improvised explosive device (IED).

Police said the device was probably attached to a balloon and flown across the border from Gaza. But it’s not clear when that took place, and for how long the bomb sat on the group waiting for a potential victim to pick it up.

“We are urging the public to be aware of any suspicious object. If you come across any suspicious object, call the emergency hotline and leave it to be examined by the professionals,” police said in a statement.