Memorial Day 2026: 174 soldiers, 79 civilians killed in past year

Israel honors soldiers and civilians lost in recent wars, including two rounds of conflict with Iran and continued fighting with Hezbollah.

By World Israel News Staff

Ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day, which commemorates soldiers and civilians killed in Israel’s wars and terror attacks, the Israel Ministry of Defense and the National Insurance Institute released updated figures detailing losses over the past year and since the state’s early history.

According to the data, 174 Israeli soldiers have been killed since Memorial Day 2025. In addition, 54 disabled veterans died over the past year from wounds sustained months or even years earlier.

Civilian casualties were also significant, with 79 people killed amid continued hostilities, including ballistic missile attacks during two rounds of fighting with Iran and rocket and drone strikes carried out by Hezbollah from Lebanon, primarily targeting northern Israel.

The Defense Ministry reported that Israel is home to approximately 59,500 bereaved families — those who have lost loved ones in military service or acts of terror. About 8,420 parents have lost a child serving in the military, while 14,430 children have lost at least one parent. Another 4,872 Israelis have been widowed after their spouses were killed while fighting.

Since 1860, the beginning of modern Jewish settlement in Israel, roughly 25,600 Israelis have been killed in battle during military conflicts. Civilian deaths over that same period are estimated at 5,313, including a significant number — over 800 — murdered during the Oct. 7 attacks.

Since October 7, 2023, including the day of the massacre itself, 1,017 civilians were killed in Israel in terror attacks and subsequent wars.

In total, nearly 100,000 Israelis are officially recognized as victims of hostilities — meaning they were either wounded or lost immediate family members.

Memorial Day observances begin at 8 p.m. on Monday, when a nationwide siren sounds and Israelis pause in silence to honor the fallen. A second, two-minute siren will sound at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by ceremonies at cemeteries and memorial sites across the country.

As is tradition, the solemn day transitions into celebration on Tuesday evening as the country marks Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day.)