Tomorrow evening (Tuesday), Israel will mark Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. We will bow our heads in remembrance of the fallen and the victims of terror, and flags across the country will be lowered to half-mast.
Moments of silence will be observed nationwide — on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
According to the Ministry of Defense, from the founding of the state in 1948 until 2025, the number of fallen soldiers in Israel’s wars stands at approximately 24,981. Over the past year, 317 new names were added, most during the “Iron Swords” war that began on October 7, 2023, and is still ongoing.
During this war, 716 people were killed — including 642 IDF soldiers, 39 members of emergency squads, 68 police officers, and 6 Shin Bet agents.
Since the establishment of the state, 4,070 civilians have been murdered in terror attacks, including 740 children and teenagers under the age of 18.
Today, there are 8,674 bereaved parents, 5,391 widows, 10,302 orphans, and 34,250 bereaved siblings — totaling about 58,617 bereaved family members, with about 10% added since October 7.
The transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day will be marked by the official torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl, symbolizing the connection between the sacrifice of the fallen and the freedom of the state.
Memorial Day allows Israeli society to unite in shared grief and pride, recognizing the heavy price paid for the nation’s existence.
However, the proximity of Memorial Day to Independence Day continues to spark debate — between those who see it as a powerful expression of the unbreakable bond between mourning and rebirth, and those who call for the two days to be separated in order to honor each appropriately.
Supporters argue that the sharp transition highlights the meaning of the freedom born from sacrifice, while critics claim it complicates the grieving process and detracts from the dignity of remembrance.
Either way, the profound sorrow over the loss touches every corner of Israeli society.
And between the moments of silence and the flags lowered to half-mast, the people of Israel will honor the memory of the fallen and will never forget the ultimate price paid for their freedom.