The State of Israel lowered its flags to half-mast at exactly 6:29 a.m. on Monday to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre, with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir promising to implement lessons learned from the tragic event.
President Isaac Herzog is expected to give a memorial speech on Mount Herzl at 11:00 a.m., followed by the national memorial ceremony for those murdered on October 7 at 14:00.
At 17:00, at the president's home, there will be a "Salon Otef" gathering, which will include former hostage Omri Miran and his wife, Lishay. Additional Salon Otef gatherings are slated to be held at numerous locations across the country.
At 18:30, another memorial ceremony will take place in Beersheba.
At 19:00, Rami Kleinstein will perform in Ofakim, and at 20:00, a memorial service will take place in Sderot.
"We will carry their stories with us and educate generations of commanders and soldiers by their example," Zamir said in a statement released to mark the event, referring to all those who have fallen during and since the massacre. "It is our duty to investigate and ensure that the lessons are implemented so that we may be more worthy of the trust the people have placed in us."
Among the promises Zamir made in the wake of lessons learned during and after October 7 were that "We will not allow our enemies to build up their strength unhindered," and "We will identify threats as they emerge and strike them with determination and force," vowing both in his message to the IDF.
"We will ensure that this people, which returned to its land, will never again be uprooted from it," he proclaimed. "This is our duty to the fallen, our responsibility to the citizens of Israel and our oath to future generations."
Zamir praises unity of Israeli society after October 7
Zamir also praised the moments after October 7 when the people of Israel, "in all their diversity," stood in unity to defend their country.
"In the most difficult moments, the solidarity and exemplary character of Israeli society were revealed," he said, "a people rushing to the aid of its sons and daughters, fighting for its renewal and leaving no one behind."