The Gaza war is a major theme of Israel's independence day celebration

NPR | By Daniel Estrin

Published April 21, 2026 at 4:10 PM EDT

On Israeli independence day, the government is honoring a triple amputee soldier, an Israeli hostage negotiator and a soldier who drew controversy for boasting about destroying homes in Gaza.

Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

See stories by Daniel Estrin

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