Israel's enemies are watching the IDF's actions in the Middle East, seeing our capabilities, and are weighing their next steps carefully, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said Sunday at a ceremony at Mount Herzl honoring Israel's fallen soldiers.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"Thanks to sophisticated operational activity, this past year has been one of the most secure Israel's citizens have ever known. We will continue to act with might and with judgment, with determination and responsibility, to ensure the security of the state of Israel," Kochavi said.
Addressing a large-scale drill the IDF is scheduled to hold in Cyprus this summer, which was first reported by Israel Hayom, Kochavi said that "The IDF is on guard with improved offensive powers, which can at any moment switch from a drill to a real operation. This is a full month of warfare."
The IDF chief also addressed the families of Israel's captive citizens and missing soldiers, saying that Israel is "committed to making every effort so they will return to you and to our nation. Efforts on the issue are ongoing and are taking place appropriately, behind closed doors."
Other defense and security officials participating in Sunday's ceremony included Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, Mossad director Yossi Cohen, Shin Bet security agency director Nadav Argaman, and Israel Prisons Service Commissioner Katy Perry.
During the ceremony, flags were placed on the graves at Mount Herzl to honor the 23,928 men and women who were killed in Israel's wars. Since Memorial Day 2020, Israel's security forces have lost 43 more, and 69 veterans who were left disabled and succumbed to their disabilities were recognized as fallen soldiers.
Due to COVID, the IDF has asked the public to keep away from military cemeteries and allow the families of the fallen to visit without additional crowds on Memorial Day itself, which begins the evening of Tuesday, April 13. The general public is invited to visit military cemeteries before Tuesday.
At 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, a one-minute siren will sound nationwide to mark the beginning of Memorial Day 2021. Immediately after the siren, memorial events will begin nationwide. As usual, the main state event will take place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, April 14, a two-minute siren will sound at 11 a.m., to be followed by ceremonies at 52 military cemeteries across the country. Mount Herzl will host the main ceremony, which will begin with a special flyover to honor the fallen.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
