More
EN
Newsletter
More
Newsletter
EN
Support JNS
News   Israel News

IDF soldiers read Purim Megillah in Gaza: WATCH

Purim commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of its enemies.

Israeli troops operating in the Gaza Strip, March 23, 2024. Credit: IDF.
Israeli troops operating in the Gaza Strip, March 23, 2024. Credit: IDF.
(March 24, 2024 / JNS)

Israel Defense Forces troops waging war against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip marked Purim on Sunday by reading Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther.

Purim commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther.

Haman was vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus. His plans were foiled by Mordecai and his adopted daughter Esther, who had become queen upon her marriage to Ahasuerus.

The day of deliverance became a day of rejoicing among Jews.

IDF Defense and Security Jewish and Israeli Holidays Terrorism
EXPLORE JNS
Crime scene police tape
U.S. News
Attempted murder hate crimes charges for man accused of stabbing visibly Jewish, Asian men in NYC
The New York City Police Department told JNS that the suspect is being charged with “attempted murder as a hate crime, attempted murder, assault as a hate crime, two counts of assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.”
July 24, 2026
Jessica Russak-Hoffman
Gavel, Court, Judge
U.S. News
Federal judge recommends dismissing most of Israeli teacher’s suit against Oregon school district
The teacher alleged Portland Public Schools allowed Palestinian flags and anti-Israel displays while administrators told him that displaying “an Israeli flag or related symbols would be too disruptive.”
July 24, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement on American nuclear innovation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2026. Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images.
U.S. News
US ‘locked and loaded’ for ‘higher level’ attacks on Iran, Trump says
The Islamic Republic’s foreign minister threatened on Friday to kill a U.S. soldier for every Iranian killed in the war, as Trump speculated that regime leaders might “cry uncle” or “go into a cave and hide.”
July 24, 2026
Andrew Bernard
Dale Chihuly Corning Museum of Glass
Feature
At Corning museum in New York, some Israel depictions walk on broken glass
Art historian Jacob Wisse told JNS that he is concerned “when museums, which I value for the rigor, depth and richness of their curatorial voice, fall back, lazily, on untruths.”
July 24, 2026
Menachem Wecker
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America at City Hall, in New York City, on July 3, 2026. Credit: Anna Connors—Pool/Getty Images.
U.S. News
CAIR defends Mamdani after NYC stabbing, drawing backlash from Jewish groups
“Shame on Mamdani and those who continue to parade this dangerous rhetoric,” Daniel S. Mariaschin of B’nai B’rith International told JNS.
July 24, 2026
Jessica Russak-Hoffman
Lobbying lobbyist lobby
U.S. News
Two Jewish groups register to lobby, as AIPAC, ADL and Federation trim such costs in 2026, federal data suggests
“Every community deserves a seat at the table when healthcare policy is being shaped,” Eveline Shekhman, CEO of the American Jewish Medical Association, told JNS.
July 24, 2026
Jonathan D. Salant
Think Twice
The rabbi who saved Soviet Jewry and reimagined American Judaism
“Think Twice” with Jonathan Tobin and guest Rabbi David Eliezrie, Ep. 231
July 23, 2026 01:00 PM
Jonathan S. Tobin
THE COLUMN
Melanie Phillips
Senior Contributor
A tsunami of lies
Melanie Phillips
Jonathan S. Tobin
Editor-in-Chief
Denial inside the modern siege lines on Tisha B’Av
Jonathan S. Tobin