Across Israel, more than 1,000 soldiers and commanders—representing both active duty and reserve forces—joined in a nationwide commemorative run to honor members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who have fallen in service. The event, held at key bases and landmarks throughout the country, comes as Israel continues its defensive war against Hamas in Gaza and remains vigilant against threats from Iranian-backed proxies on all borders.
The commemorative run, which has become an annual tradition within the IDF, took on heightened significance this year in the shadow of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack. That assault—widely recognized as the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust—saw Hamas militants breach Israel’s southern border, slaughtering over 1,200 civilians and soldiers, committing atrocities including mass executions and abductions, and plunging the country into a war for its very survival.
Participants wore attire bearing the names of their fallen comrades, and ceremonies at each location featured the reading of names, moments of silence, and addresses from unit commanders who stressed the IDF’s commitment to the nation and the legacy of the fallen. Family members of the deceased attended several of the runs, forming bonds of solidarity and remembrance with current servicemembers.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, addressing soldiers at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, emphasized the responsibility borne by Israel’s armed forces in protecting the country and upholding the memory of fallen heroes. He remarked that the unity displayed at such events reflects the backbone of Israel’s survival and resilience under threat.
The event drew participation from infantry, armored, intelligence, medical, and air force units. Notably, it included reservists who returned to uniform in Israel’s largest mobilization in a generation. This mobilization, sparked by the atrocities of October 7, is part of a broader campaign against Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror organizations, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
The commemorative run passed through sites intertwined with Israel’s military history, including memorials dedicated to those lost in the current war and prior conflicts. At several stops, soldiers met with bereaved families, sharing stories and reaffirming the IDF’s commitment to the values for which their loved ones sacrificed their lives.
Many families described their presence as both agonizing and empowering—bearing the weight of tremendous personal loss, but drawing strength in seeing the nation remember and honor the fallen. The testimonies and public displays of unity are widely viewed as integral to the Israeli ethos of remembrance, resilience, and solidarity.
This year’s run takes place against a complex operational backdrop. Since October 7, the IDF has engaged in a comprehensive campaign against Hamas leadership, infrastructure, and combatants in Gaza. Israeli authorities repeatedly emphasize adherence to international law, including warnings to civilians and the maintenance of humanitarian corridors, while Hamas continues to embed military assets within densely packed civilian areas, a practice condemned by international legal observers.
Simultaneously, Israel faces persistent attacks and threats along its northern border with Lebanon, as Hezbollah and other Iranian-supported elements probe the IDF’s defenses and engage in sporadic rocket fire. The threat from regional Iranian proxies—including ongoing missile and drone attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, and threats from militias in Syria and Iraq—further underscores the existential challenge confronting Israel and its defense establishment.
The annual IDF run is also deeply connected to Israel’s societal values and the legacy of service. Military service forms a central pillar of Israeli civic identity, and the culture of honoring the fallen is woven into national observances and local traditions alike. Each fallen soldier is not merely a statistic but mourned as an individual whose memory is venerated in communal life, on bases, and in family homes.
The run also honored Israel’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza—a crisis stemming from the October 7 attacks. Israel has maintained a clear legal and moral distinction between hostages taken by terror and convicted terrorists released in negotiated exchanges, a point of emphasis during the commemorative ceremonies. The fate of those still captive was a recurring theme, uniting the participants in shared resolve.
Internationally, Israel’s commemorative events and ongoing conflict have drawn support from Western democratic nations—most notably the United States—who recognize Israel as the frontline democracy contending with the tactics and ambitions of regional terror networks directed and funded by Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have consistently invoked the memory of the fallen in articulating Israel’s right and duty to self-defense.
The lessons of the past, including those from Israel’s formative wars and the more recent campaigns of the 21st century, remain integral to the IDF’s operational ethos. Modern Israeli military doctrine stresses both technological sophistication and unwavering responsibility toward national memory. The annual commemorative run, taking place amidst escalation and urgent national challenges, is testament to that ongoing commitment.
As the run concluded, the message was unmistakable: Israel’s soldiers, both young and old, conscripts and reservists, stand united in defense of the state, guided by the memory of those who have fallen. As long as this unity and purpose endure, Israelis say, the nation will remain fortified against the enemies determined to eliminate it. The sacrifices of the fallen are not forgotten—they form the foundation of Israel’s survival and the enduring hope for peace.
