A two-minute siren echoed across Israel moments ago, bringing the country to a standstill as Yom HaZikaron’s central commemorations began.

The main state ceremony is now taking place at the Memorial Hall on Mount Herzl, attended by Isaac Herzog, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Ohana, Yitzhak Amit, and senior defense officials.

This year, Israel honors 25,648 fallen soldiers, a number that has risen in recent days amid ongoing military operations.

Commemorations began last night with a one-minute siren and a candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall, attended by Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Additional ceremonies will take place throughout the day, including a state memorial for victims of hostilities at Mount Herzl at 1:00 p.m., followed by a ceremony in Acre at 4:00 p.m. honoring fighters of the pre-state underground.

Yom HaZikaron will conclude this evening with the torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl at 7:45 p.m., marking the transition into Israel’s 78th Independence Day.