VIDEO: IDF Condemns Soldiers’ Firing Aimlessly Into Gaza at Mention of ‘Haman’ on Purim

The IDF condemned motzi Shabbos a video circulating social media depicting Israeli soldiers firing aimlessly into Gaza from their station as a commander read the name “Haman” from a copy of megillas Esther that was on his smartphone.

The soldiers were from the 7015 battalion, and their commander was wearing a clown hat during the incident. He was reading from a later section of the Megilah, after Haman’s death; it is not clear how many times the soldiers fired into Gaza before the recording was made, or afterwards.

The soldiers involved were removed from Gaza and will face disciplinary action Sunday, Kan reported.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office stated: “As soon as the commanders learned of the incident, the platoon commander and his soldiers were removed from Gaza and will be dealt with disciplinary action accordingly. The behavior of the soldiers in the video is contrary to IDF values and operational procedures.”

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who took office last week, instructed the army to treat the incident seriously.