On May 12 at 8:00 PM, a one-minute memorial siren sounded throughout the country. After the siren, a candle-lighting ceremony took place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, attended by President Isaac Herzog and the Chief of Staff of the IDF, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

On May 13 at 11:00 AM, a two-minute Memorial Siren will sound again. At this time, cars stop, and people on the streets stand still, bowing their heads in mourning. Immediately after the siren, memorial events will begin at military cemeteries across the country. At 11:02, the central memorial ceremony for those who fell in Israel’s wars will begin, attended by high-ranking officials.

At 1:00 PM, a memorial ceremony for victims of terrorist attacks and hostile actions will take place. At 7:45 PM, a ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem will close the Memorial Day events and mark the beginning of the celebrations of Israel’s Independence Day. Traditionally, the main part of the ceremony is the lighting of torches in honor of the State of Israel.

Since 1860, when the struggle for the creation of a Jewish state began, 25,034 people have died in self-defense operations and Israel’s wars. Since the declaration of Israel’s independence, 5,100 civilians have died as a result of terrorist attacks. Since October 7, 1,533 residents of Israel have died, including 620 military personnel.

The Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and all those who fought and died for the creation of the Jewish state was established by the Knesset in 1963. It is observed annually on the 4th of the Jewish month of Iyar, the day before Independence Day, emphasizing the inseparable connection between the heroism of the fallen and the steadfastness of the State of Israel.