From Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening, Israel is commemorating its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. The total number has risen to 25,417.
In the lead-up to the "Day of Remembrance for the Fallen of Israel's Military Campaigns and the Victims of Acts of Hate" (Yom HaZikaron), the National Insurance Institute has released new figures. According to these figures, 79 civilians were murdered by terrorists and 316 members of the security forces were killed last year. In addition, 61 wounded veterans died during the same period from their injuries. They were therefore also recognized as fallen soldiers.
In total, Israel mourns 25,417 fallen soldiers this year on Yom HaZikaron since the count began in 1860. At that time, the first Jewish groups in the territory of present-day Israel began to defend themselves.
As reported by the Israeli newspaper "Ha'aretz," 4,503 Israelis have been killed in hostile acts since the founding of the state in 1948, including 934 since October 7, 2023 – 615 men and 58 children under the age of 18. Among the victims of the Hamas attack on October 7 were 76 foreign nationals, and 778 civilians were murdered on that day alone.
“Difficult day”
The commemoration begins on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. local time with a one-minute siren sounded throughout the country. Yom HaZikaron immediately transitions into Israeli Independence Day, which begins on the evening of April 30.
Israel's Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Zur (Likud) called Yom HaZikaron a "difficult day." He said he would continue to work to ensure that bereaved families receive financial compensation. Last year, the National Insurance Institute paid out almost 210 million euros.
