During Ongoing War, Israelis Honor Fallen Soldiers, Terror Victims, on Nation's Memorial Day

Chris Mitchell
04-30-2025

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JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel began its commemoration of Memorial Day Wednesday evening. This year has special meaning since more than 800 soldiers, police, and security personnel have fallen during the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A siren wailed throughout Israel in the evening skies to mark the beginning of what Israelis call "Remembrance Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Acts of Terrorism." Families of the fallen visit grave sites throughout the country.

Since the beginning of the modern state, nearly 30,000 soldiers and others have died in battle or in terror attacks. Their names are held in the nation's Hall of Remembrance.

The brutal Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023, illustrated that those terrorists consider even Israel's children and babies as legitimate targets to attack. Despite the ongoing war, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir claimed Israel will prevail. 

“Our enemies have misjudged our response," Zamir declared. "So, too, has Hamas misjudged our determination to bring back the hostages and to defeat it. These two missions are intertwined. We will continue and intensify our efforts until both are achieved.”

The relatives and friends came to the military cemetery in Jerusalem to remember them and comfort one another.

A special collection of black and white photos unveiled this month shows that, from its founding in 1948, almost the entire population has been expected to take up arms to defend the country. Enemies have frequently launched wars to eliminate the Jewish state.  

Israeli President Isaac Herzog pointed out that internal strife is also a threat.

“This year, perhaps more than ever, the siren’s sound is also a true alarm, commanding us: unite and come together. Do not tear apart from within. Do not destroy our home," Herzog exhorted.

Immediately after Memorial Day comes a joyous time: Israel's 77th Independence Day. That same collection of black and white photos shows Israelis across the years celebrating their nation's 1948 rebirth in the modern era.

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About The Author

CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief CBN.com
Chris
Mitchell

CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief In a time where the world's attention is riveted on events in the Middle East, CBN viewers have come to appreciate Chris Mitchell's timely reports from this explosive region of the world. Mitchell brings a Biblical and prophetic perspective to these daily news events that shape our world. Chris first began reporting on the Middle East in the mid-1990s. He repeatedly traveled there to report on the religious and political issues facing Israel and the surrounding Arab states. One of his more significant reports focused on the emigration of persecuted Christians
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About The Author

Paul
Strand

As a freelance reporter for CBN's Jerusalem bureau and during 27 years as senior correspondent in CBN's Washington bureau, Paul Strand has covered a variety of political and social issues, with an emphasis on defense, justice, government, and God’s providential involvement in our world. Strand began his tenure at CBN News in 1985 as an evening assignment editor in Washington, D.C. After a year, he worked with CBN Radio News for three years, returning to the television newsroom to accept a position as a senior editor in 1990. Strand moved back to the nation's capital in 1995 and then to
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