Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to secure victory in the Gaza war and the return of hostages during a video statement on Memorial Day, emphasizing the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and civilians. As sirens marked a moment of silence for the dead, Netanyahu and Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reaffirmed their commitment to intensify efforts to retrieve the remaining 58 hostages from Gaza, with the conflict holding renewed significance since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Memorial Day precedes Israel’s Independence Day, which is observed amid contrasting Palestinian commemorations of the “Nakba.”
