Amid Memorial Day preparations, IDF chief acknowledges many new bereaved families this year

Military officials across the country are placing memorial candles, flowers, and miniature flags at half-staff by the graves of soldiers, police officers and other security personnel who have died throughout the history of the State of Israel and the Zionist movement, as the state prepares to mark Memorial Day next week.

Speaking at a flag-placing ceremony at the memorial hall for fallen soldiers at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military will “continue to fight together for the defense of our country and to ensure our existence here.”

“Seven months have passed since we all faced a heinous and unprecedented attack… we have a lot of responsibility for the security of the country, we have a lot of responsibility in this event and its painful results,” he says.

“The coming days are days of national remembrance, in which the members of the bereaved families will go to the cemeteries, to be united with their loved ones at their final resting place. There are those who have been doing this for many years, and there are many for whom this is the first Memorial Day, and this hurts a lot,” Halevi says.

“These days we stand by their side, salute their loved ones for their acts of heroism,” he adds.