23,085 soldiers have fallen protecting Israel

Figures released by Defense Ministry include soldiers who died over the last year, number of bereaved families.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
IDF soldier Netanel Yahalomi is laid to rest in Modi'in 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
IDF soldier Netanel Yahalomi is laid to rest in Modi'in 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
The Defense Ministry released its annual figures of fallen soldiers on Friday morning ahead of Remembrance Day, stating that 92 soldiers had fallen this year and a total of 23,085 have fallen in Israel's wars since 1860.
Of those killed in the past year, 37 were IDF soldiers, 12 belonged to other security forces such as the police and 43 were IDF veterans who died as a result of disabilities they suffered while soldiers.
The Defense Ministry added that on Remembrance Day on Monday, more than 1.5 million people were expected to pay their respects at military cemeteries.
According to the Ministry, there are currently over 17,000 families who have lost a family member serving in the IDF. Included in that number are nearly 5,000 widows and more than 2,000 orphans.
Recently, some of these bereaved families called on the state of Israel to bring forward the date of Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars and Terror Victims, saying the transition to Independence Day, which takes place the day after, is too jarring.