NEW DETAILS EMERGED OVER THE MASS CASUALTIES AT MT. MERON ISRAEL during Interview with Avi Abelow from The Pulse of Israel Podcast, about the largest civilian casualty toll in Israel's history. According to media reports, At least 45 people were crushed to death and more than 150 people hurt, including many in critical condition, after midnight Thursday at a mass gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer holiday at Mount Meron, medics said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “a terrible disaster,” promised a thorough investigation, and said that Sunday would be declared a day of national mourning.

According to Avi Abelow, witnesses reported telling police on the scene, prior to the tragedy, that they had to remove the exit barricades or there could be casualties and injuries, but their warnings and pleadings went unheeded.

Army Radio reported that children were among the dead and injured.

The event is believed to be the worst peacetime tragedy in modern Israeli history, with a death toll higher than the 44 who lost their lives in the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire.