(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

On Tuesday evening the eve of 3 Iyar, the State of Israel began observing Memorial Day, as sirens wailed nationwide at exactly 8:00PM.

Launching the official events in Knesset was Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, who lit a candle and recited Tehillim for the fallen, 23,646 in number.

Another siren sounded, on Wednesday morning, at 11:00AM, marking the beginning of Memorial ceremonies in military cemeteries nationwide.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: קבוצת רוטרניק)