Stunning snapshots of Purim 5785 in Israel: In color

As Israelis don colorful costumes and take to the streets to celebrate Purim, the Jewish holiday marking the deliverance of the Jewish people from destruction, the nation remains on high alert. The festive atmosphere comes amid heightened security concerns following a U.S. military operation against Houthi targets in Yemen and reports of a ballistic missile launched from Yemen that landed in Egypt.

An Israeli official confirmed that the country was pre-informed of the U.S. strikes and is now bracing for potential Houthi retaliation, with expectations of additional missile launches toward Israeli territory. Despite the tension, no changes have been made to public safety guidelines, with authorities emphasizing constant readiness. "We are prepared at all times," the official stated, referencing ongoing coordination with the U.S., including talks between Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.