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Israel is marking Yom Hazikaron, its memorial day for fallen soldiers and terror victims – and with the trauma of October 7 and the absence of hostages at the forefront of the national mind, it is deeply emotional.
The entire country came to a standstill at 8 pm last night for a siren marking the start of the day, and will pause again this morning for a second siren ahead of cemetery ceremonies. The Defence Ministry announced that 319 soldiers had died since last Memorial Day, while 61 disabled veterans succumbed to their injuries.
At national ceremonies, in broadcasts and on social media, pointed messages came from leaders, bereaved families and hostage campaigners.
President Isaac Herzog addressed the hostages, saying: “I call out to our brothers and sisters in the hands of murderers: A whole nation is missing you, worrying for you, crying your cry. A nation tormented beyond measure. A nation that knows – deep in its soul, burned with longing and anxiety – that the wound cannot heal until you return. Until you return to us.”
He also warned of internal division: “Enough division! Enough polarisation! Enough hatred! We must not, by our own hands, bring about the destruction of our national home – the home of all Israelis, the home of the entire Jewish People.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country’s fallen were “laying down their lives to create the conditions for the return of our dear hostages,” and called that task “a holy mission”. He added: “We all have one home. We all have one country. We all have one fate.”
Opposition politician Benny Gantz urged leaders to leave politics aside: “Let’s stop for one day, and leave politics out of the cemeteries and off the networks.”
As families visited cemeteries, relatives of deceased hostages warned they may never be able to bury their loved ones. A report commissioned by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned that the 35 bodies held in Gaza may soon become unrecoverable.
It cited two key concerns: first, that the few people who know burial locations may be killed before transferring the information; second, that extreme conditions in Gaza could destroy the remains.
Sara Netanyahu suggested that fewer than 24 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, contradicting the government’s official figure. Her whispered comment – “fewer” – was caught on video as her husband stated “up to 24 alive”.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum asked “what did you mean when you said ‘fewer’? Do you know something we don’t?” One mother accused her of “announcing a murder in captivity” on Memorial Day. The Prime Minister’s Office has not commented. Netanyahu has said 133 hostages remain in Gaza, including 33 believed dead.
As well as standard ceremonies, there was a joint Israeli–Palestinian ceremony last night in which people killed on both sides are remembered. It is an annual event, normally controversial and particularly so this year.
“No one is born into hatred,” said Liel Fishbein, who lost his sister at Kibbutz Be’eri. Palestinian speakers joined by livestream from Beit Jala, after Israel barred them from entering Jaffa.
But dozens of right-wing activists stormed a synagogue where the ceremony was being screened. Some forced their way inside, shouting “Go to Gaza” and “Death to terrorists” at participants. Footage circulated online showed them chasing attendees through the building. Police evacuated the site, and three arrests have been reported. Participants described fear and confusion as demonstrators shouted and pursued people from the venue.
Elsewhere, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer left Cairo yesterday just hours after arriving for renewed hostage negotiations, though the Israeli delegation stayed behind. Senior Hamas officials denied any progress. Egyptian and Qatari mediators later said Israel was placing “unreasonable” conditions on the talks and undermining efforts with public criticism. Israeli officials confirmed that discussions were continuing.
Speaking of the war, Israel has killed three senior militant commanders in recent Gaza strikes, including the Hamas officer responsible for the October 7 assault on Kissufim. The other two were described as a northern operations commander and a veteran of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who trained West Bank militants. The IDF said all were involved in direct attacks.
Meanwhile, the UK has launched joint airstrikes with the US on Houthi drone facilities south of Sanaa, Yemen – its first confirmed participation under President Trump’s expanded campaign. Britain said RAF Typhoon jets struck drone manufacturing buildings used by the Iran-backed group.
And an explosion at a gunpowder warehouse in central Iran killed one person and injured two. The plant, in Isfahan, is run by a company licensed to handle both industrial and military explosives. Local media said it may be linked to the defence sector. No official suspicion of Israeli involvement has been reported.
A 73-year-old Israeli man has been jailed for ten years for working with Iranian intelligence. Moti Maman admitted travelling to Tehran twice in 2024 to plan assassinations of top Israeli officials. Judges cited the wartime context and said such collaboration must be “met with a clear and distinct message.” Maman said he was motivated by money.
Also on the domestic front, the Israeli government reversed its dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar one day after he announced he would resign in June. The move came amid a High Court legal battle, which critics called a tactic to avoid a binding ruling. “We will not let Netanyahu evade a judicial decision through tactical manoeuvres,” said the Movement for Quality Government. President Herzog welcomed Bar’s resignation as “the correct step.”
In related news, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has accepted major limits on his powers following a deal with the Attorney General. Their dispute has been part of the widening rift between the judicial branch and the cabinet, of which Bar’s case was also a symptom. Ben-Gvir can no longer control protest policing, police appointments or investigations. He may only interview candidates for promotion if supervised.
Finally, Israel’s population has officially passed 10 million, according to new figures released ahead of Independence Day. The Central Bureau of Statistics recorded 7.7 million Jews and others, 2.1 million Arabs, and 248,000 foreign nationals. Despite war and emigration, population growth held at 2.3 per cent over the year, with 189,000 births and 40,000 new immigrants. Scaled-back celebrations are expected this year.
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