Israelis will come to a somber pause on Tuesday evening, as a one-minute siren sounds in honor of the country's 23,741 fallen soldiers and 3,146 victims of terror, marking the beginning of the annual 24-hour period of mourning during which official and civilian ceremonies will take place nationwide.
Last year during the Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism, some 1.5 million Israelis went to pay their respects at gravesides of those killed in wars or terror attacks throughout the country's history.
The Defense Ministry last week announced the addition of 96 names to the list of soldiers killed defending the Jewish state since 1860 as well as nine Israeli civilians killed in conflict-related violence in the same period, bringing the total to 3,146 terror victims.
The number has likely increased since last week's statement after four Israelis were killed by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip this weekend.
56 of the names added were IDF soldiers and police, while the other 40 were veterans who succumbed to disabilities or injuries sustained during their service.
Military service is compulsory for Israeli Jews and young conscripts make up two-thirds of the standing army.
Memorial Day is a solemn day in Israel, where grief is often openly expressed in public ceremonies. In a country where almost everyone has known someone who died fighting, most people are grieving for someone they knew personally.
There will be candlelight ceremonies in schools and public institutions and mournful programs about Israel's wars broadcast on public television.
Memorial Day will come to a close at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, when Israelis will allow their sadness to give way to mirth as they celebrate Independence Day with patriotic parties and events happening throughout the country.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS. Read more at https://www.i24news.tv/en.
