As Israel remembers its fallen soldiers and terror victims today on Yom Hazikaron, new figures released by the Defense Ministry reveal the staggering toll the Jewish people have taken this year.
While serving on active duty this year, 316 IDF soldiers were killed, with an additional 61 disabled veterans succumbing to complications from injuries sustained during their service in previous years. This past year, 1,647 Israelis have joined the community of grieving families, including 487 parents, 85 widows and 163 orphans
The ongoing war in Gaza continues to claim a devastating toll, with the military death toll since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 massacre reaching 849, including 412 killed during the Gaza ground campaign. Compounding the nation’s grief, 934 civilians have been murdered since Oct. 7 including 58 children, as well as 76 foreign nationals.
Overall, 25,417 servicemen and women have given their lives in service to the Jewish people and the struggle for re-establishing the Jewish state since 1860. During the same period, 5,229 civilians were murdered by terrorists, including at least 800 children and teenagers under the age of 18.
On Yom Hazikaron, two air raid sirens resound across Israel, marking the nation’s collective remembrance of its fallen soldiers and terror victims. The first siren is sounded to signal the commencement of the memorial day, while the second is heard prior to the public recitation of prayers in military cemeteries throughout the country.
During these two-minute periods, all activity comes to a complete standstill. Busy highways fall silent as traffic halts, and people pause wherever they are, standing in solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
