The Government of Israel has enacted a comprehensive state policy to recognize civilian acts of heroism and memorialize victims of terror from the October 7–8, 2023, attacks and the subsequent Iron Swords War. This new framework, ratified on March 2, 2025, formalizes special recognition for those civilians who performed exceptional acts or were murdered during Hamas’s unprecedented assault and the ensuing conflict—a war driven by Iranian-backed terror networks seeking Israel’s destruction.
Lede
In a landmark decision, the Israeli government, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Ministry of Defense, and the National Insurance Institute, will provide a dedicated response for honoring and memorializing civilians who acted with extraordinary courage or were killed under exceptional circumstances during the October 7 massacre and the Iron Swords campaign. This recognition also includes civilians slain in captivity and those who fell outside active military service due to enemy action, reflecting Israel’s commitment to acknowledging the sacrifices and heroism of its citizens alongside its soldiers.
The October 7 Massacre and the Iron Swords War
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists executed the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, infiltrating Israeli communities, murdering over 1,200 civilians and soldiers, and abducting hundreds. The brutality—documented thoroughly by Israeli and international sources—included indiscriminate killings, torture, rape, mutilation, and the taking of hostages, many of whom remain in captivity or have been murdered in Gaza. The Israeli military, in response, launched Operation Iron Swords, which continues to target Iranian-backed terror groups across the region, underlining the existential threat facing Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and beyond.
New Measures for Memorializing Heroism and Loss
The framework lays out detailed criteria and procedures for state recognition:
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Eligibility:
- Civilians who actively fought in the October 7–8 battles, based on time, place, fighting or rescue activity, proven affiliation with the IDF, and who were killed in action.
- Hostages murdered or killed in Gaza after performing unique actions.
- Civilians performing active military service during the Iron Swords War who were killed in terror incidents outside active duty.
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Commemoration Components:
- Military Participation in Funerals: When funerals are pending or reburials are required, military representatives participate in civilian funerals, underscoring the nation’s gratitude.
- Distinguished Headstone Plaques: Special markers bearing the Israeli state symbol and noting exceptional status will be affixed to civilian graves, including replacements for temporary or existing stones, subject to approval.
- Annual State Memorial Ceremony Inclusion: Recognized individuals will be publicly honored at the annual Mount Herzl memorial for terror victims.
- Digital Remembrance: Entitled civilians will be listed in the state’s official online memorial to terror victims.
Process and Oversight
Requests for recognition can be submitted by any Israeli citizen to the IDF’s “Kesher Ad” casualty affairs unit, where a professional committee—chaired by retired brigadier generals, senior Defense Ministry officials, terror survivors’ representatives, and academics—reviews eligibility. The Chief of the IDF Personnel Directorate, Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, provides final authorization, ensuring integrity and rigorous application of the criteria.
Preserving Moral Clarity and National Memory
Israeli commemoration culture is based on distinguishing between soldiers and civilians while memorializing each group according to its role and sacrifice. The events of October 7 shattered conventional boundaries as ordinary citizens, sometimes alongside the IDF or locally organized defense groups, responded to the unprecedented attack. The new government resolution specifically maintains the distinction, while honoring those who acted as defenders of their communities under fire.
This is also a moral stance in the face of ongoing terror. Whereas Israel’s enemies target civilians and celebrate murder, Israel’s response upholds the sanctity of life—even as the nation mourns and memorializes its losses. The official recognition is a repudiation of any false equivalence between the defenders of a democracy and those committed to its destruction.
The Broader War – Iran and its Proxies
The context of the Iron Swords War is international and regional. Iran and its proxies—including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other militias—continue coordinated efforts to destabilize Israel from multiple fronts. This escalation has been marked not only by the Gaza conflict but also by a sharp rise in rocket fire from Lebanon, drone attacks from Yemen, and attempted incursions along the Syrian frontier—all evidencing Iran’s central role in orchestrating the conflict.
Historical and Social Context
From its earliest days, Israel has developed an extensive national tradition of memorializing fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Yom HaZikaron, ceremonies at Mount Herzl, and countless local initiatives testify to a shared understanding that the memory of loss and the honor of heroism underpin national identity. The events of October 7 and the ongoing war have been traumatic but have also inspired acts of civil courage and unity. Recognizing these acts, the government ensures their place in Israel’s collective conscience and publicly affirms the unique reality of the war.
Conclusion
With this new recognition program, Israel is reaffirming its foundational values: gratitude for its defenders, precision in historical memory, and moral clarity in the face of terror. This policy does more than honor the dead—it educates future generations about the realities faced in defense of the Jewish state and the character of those who stood between Israel and annihilation. The world is left with an unambiguous message: Israel distinguishes between its defenders and its attackers, and the memory of those who sacrificed themselves—whether in uniform or as civilians—will be preserved forever.
