JERUSALEM /ISTANBUL

A video circulating on social media showed Israeli soldiers in Gaza firing "without cause and without military orders" while celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday.

According to the footage published by the broadcaster, a battalion commander can be seen reading a passage from the Torah while wearing a clown hat, before other soldiers begin firing randomly.

The soldiers, identified as members of Battalion 7015, have been accused of violating "rules of engagement and military discipline."

Israeli military sources said the incident "reflects a breakdown in military discipline and a disregard for regulations and rules of engagement."

The military leadership decided to remove some of the soldiers from their positions and take disciplinary action after the footage went viral.

Since the Israeli military launched its assault on Gaza in Oct. 2023, Israeli soldiers have posted multiple videos showing acts of destruction, including the demolition of buildings and homes, as well as scenes of soldiers mocking and vandalizing Palestinian properties inside their ruined homes.

The first, six-week phase of the deal ended in early March, but Israel has refused to proceed with the second phase, which included further captive exchanges with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stalled negotiations for the second phase, seeking instead to extend the initial prisoner exchange period to secure the release of more Israeli captives without fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations stipulated in the agreement.

Hamas, however, has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire, urging mediators to enforce Israel’s compliance and immediately commence negotiations to move forward.​​​​​​​

More than 48,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has left the enclave in ruins.