This evening (Monday, April 20), the official observance of Yom Hazikaron begins with the sounding of sirens at 8:00 PM for one minute, in memory of the fallen soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and victims of terror. On Memorial Day (Tuesday, April 21), a second siren will sound at 11:00 AM for two minutes, after which state commemorative activities will commence at military cemeteries across the country. Commemorative events will last until the evening of April 21, after which the celebration of the Independence Day of the State of Israel will follow.
The number of fallen soldiers leading up to Memorial Day, from 1860 to today, stands at 25,648. Since Memorial Day 5785, an additional 174 fallen soldiers have been added to this number, along with 54 disabled individuals who passed away due to their injuries and were recognized as fallen fighters of Israel during the year.