Israel prepares to remember 23,646 fallen soldiers and 3,134 terror victims

Israel’s annual Memorial Day begins at sundown today, during which the country will mourn its fallen soldiers and members of other security services, as well as those killed in terror attacks throughout Israel’s history.

In all, 71 new names were added over the past year to the roster of 23,645 who died defending the country, nearly half of the new individuals passing due to wounds and disabilities sustained in the service.

Twelve names were also added to the list of terror victims who perished because of attacks, bringing the total to 3,134.

The main national ceremony, which takes place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, is set to begin at 8 p.m. A one-minute siren will ring out nationwide during which Israelis will stand silently in respect for the fallen.

A second two-minute siren will sound tomorrow at 11 a.m., launching the daytime commemoration ceremonies centered on Jerusalem’s Mt. Herzl.

At 7:45 p.m. tomorrow, Memorial Day will end with the national torch-lighting ceremony at Mt. Herzl that will usher in Israel’s 70th Independence Day.