IDF removes reservists from Gaza over video of them shooting during Purim scroll reading

The IDF has taken a platoon of reservists out of the Gaza Strip after a video posted to social media showed the troops opening fire during the reading of the Book of Esther.

One of the central traditions around the Jewish holiday of Purim is making noise when the name of the villainous Haman is proclaimed during the reading of the Megillah.

The video shows one of the reservists stationed in a buffer zone on the Gaza border reading from the scroll. When the name of Haman is mentioned, other troops open fire toward the Strip.

The soldiers were from the Gaza Division Southern Brigade’s 7015th Battalion.

In response, the IDF says that once the incident was made known to commanders, the platoon commander and soldiers involved in the incident were taken out of Gaza and “will be dealt with accordingly with disciplinary action.”

“The behavior of the soldiers in the video is contrary to IDF values ​​and operational procedures,” the army adds.

בניגוד להנחיות: לוחמי מילואים הושעו לאחר שביצעו ירי בעזה כל פעם שנאמר "המן" pic.twitter.com/PMLqYUnVRj

— ישראל היום (@IsraelHayomHeb) March 15, 2025

Military officials noted that the soldiers were removed even before journalists had sent the IDF queries regarding the incident.

“There is no place on the battlefield for a lack of operational discipline,” the officials said.

The troops will face a hearing on Sunday, and disciplinary action will be taken. The officials added that the incident is being “taken seriously. ”

Last week, new IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in his first meeting with IDF commanders, stressed to them the importance of operational discipline, according to the military.

Over the course of the Gaza war, soldiers have, on various occasions, been disciplined and investigated over problematic behavior that the military said was unbecoming of servicemen.