‘Their legacy commands us’: IDF chief marks Memorial Day with call for unity, resolve

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Monday issued a solemn Memorial Day message honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, calling on the nation to uphold their legacy while vowing continued resolve in the face of ongoing security threats.

“In these moments, as silence envelops the country and longing echoes in the heart of the nation, an entire people gathers in grief,” Zamir wrote in a letter distributed to IDF soldiers and officers, describing how “the image of Israel’s heroes” continues to live on in the country's collective memory. He emphasized that thousands of names and stories remain etched in the hearts of families, commanders, and comrades, all bound by what he called the enduring mission of “defending the home.”

Zamir framed that mission as a continuous thread running from the founders of the state through generations of soldiers and security personnel. “This is the mission that has pulsed in the hearts of Israel’s defenders for 78 years,” he wrote, adding that it is through their sacrifice that “the nation continues to stand steadfast and strong.”

Marking the third Memorial Day since the October 7 attacks, Zamir described the loss as a “bleeding wound” that has given this day renewed and painful significance. He noted that fallen soldiers and civilians “look toward us from every corner of the country,” their stories woven into the landscape and daily life. “Their legacy is a command for us to preserve unity and continue standing guard over our land for future generations,” he wrote.

The IDF chief stressed that Israeli troops remain actively deployed across all fronts, referencing ongoing operations as part of the country’s broader defense campaign. “Even at this hour, IDF soldiers stand on guard in all sectors, on land, in the air, and at sea,” he said, adding that Israel has acted “with determination and courage to remove threats and secure our future.”

Reflecting on the toll of war, Zamir acknowledged the heavy price paid by soldiers and their families. “The cost of war is heavy and painful,” he wrote, pledging continued support for wounded servicemembers and bereaved families. Addressing them directly, he added, “I carry in my heart the loss of your brave sons and daughters, and I promise to always stand by your side, to embrace and support you.”

Last week, the Defense Ministry said 170 soldiers had been recognized as fallen soldiers and 54 others as disabled veterans over the past year.

Zamir concluded by underscoring the enduring responsibility placed on future generations. “The responsibility to defend the people and the land will pass on,” he said, calling on soldiers to continue forward “with determination and resilience.”

“Their voices, though silenced, still echo within us,” he wrote. “Their memory will be our guiding light.”