JERUSALEM: The sound of sirens brought Israel to a halt on Tuesday evening, marking the annual Memorial Day for dead troops and terror victims. As per reports, the official Memorial Day honours soldiers died in military duty and battles, as well as civilian victims of attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking at a memorial service earlier in the day, urged for togetherness in the face of increased political polarisation and internal fractures in Israeli society.

"Young men, perhaps as young as 19 or 20, who will not return. I can't speak for them, but I feel this is what they would for us to do: continue to live together. Allowing internal conflicts to split our people is not a good idea "he stated

Following the sirens, President Isaac Herzog, Chief of Forces Aviv Kochavi, senior military and police officers, and bereaved relatives gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the major commemoration.  In the next 24 hours, from late Tuesday until Wednesday evening, a number of other events and memorials will be held across the country.

Since 1860, 24,068 soldiers, police officers, police wardens, Shin Bet security service members, and Mossad spies have died while on duty, according to numbers released by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. In addition, attacks have claimed the lives of 4,216 people.

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