:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/YQLNPZZPVXS5RBXO6QBKOER324.jpg "Israel stopped its activities at the sound of sirens on the first Memorial Day after the start of the war against Hamas")
The sound of sirens stopped all activities in Israel on Monday as the country paused to remember the fallen soldiers and civilian victims of the ongoing hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led military and government officials in commemorating Memorial Day at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl Cemetery.
The two-minute siren reminded Israelis of the blaring sirens they have become familiar with in recent months, prompting them to take shelter from rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The war that began with a Hamas attack on October 7 is approaching its eighth month, with Israeli forces intensifying attacks on the Jabalia camp in Gaza and Rafah.
Israel reports that 620 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, with more than 25,000 military personnel killed in the line of duty since the country’s founding. Additionally, over 4,000 civilians have been killed in insurgent attacks, with 20% of those deaths occurring as of October 7. The death toll in Israel’s military operation in Gaza has now exceeded 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the ongoing fight against Hamas, stating that it is necessary to ensure Israel’s existence, freedom, security, and prosperity. He declared that victory must be achieved, with the return of all hostages home as a central objective. The prime minister acknowledged the high cost of the conflict for the country and called for unity among the people to strengthen the nation.
The conflict that was sparked by the October 7 killings and kidnappings by Palestinian gunmen has led to casualties on a scale not seen in decades and shows no signs of resolution. Netanyahu urged the people to internalize the meaning of the fight in this historical moment, emphasizing that the war of independence continues to this day.
As Israel continues to grapple with the ongoing hostilities, the country mourned the victims with a solemn tribute, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and security.