The memorial day also remembers those killed in terrorist attacks, both in Israel and the Diaspora

By David Brummer

Israel and Israelis will come to a standstill at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday as the country comes to a two-minute halt to remember the thousands of IDF soldiers who have fallen in battle, as well as civilians murdered in terrorist attacks.

This will be the second Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) since the outbreak of the war with Hamas in Gaza in October 2023; where the numbers of the fallen — both military and civilian — have swelled total to more than 25,000 since 1860 — the year that the first Jewish settlers left the secure walls of Jerusalem to expand into new neighborhoods.

At the end of the two-minute siren, the Israel Air Force will fly over the country’s main military cemetery at Har Herzl, Jerusalem. The main official state ceremony will begin after the planes have departed, and similar memorials will be held at military cemeteries across the country.

At 1 p.m., a ceremony will be held at Har Herzl to commemorate the victims of terrorism both in Israel and abroad.

Tonight marks the beginning of Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron).

Since October 7th, Memorial Days have been especially difficult.

We remember our loved ones – women, children and men – who were murdered, kidnapped, burned and tortured.

We remember our brave soldiers who… pic.twitter.com/TgclgKTXOy

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) April 29, 2025