At 11 a.m., a two-minute siren marks the start of the main ceremonies held at Israel’s 52 military cemeteries nationwide, honoring the 25,420 individuals who have died in service to the country since 1860—the year Israel, and the Jewish community before it, began commemorating its fallen soldiers and defenders.

A national state of emergency has been declared here in Israel due to the fires. Praying for Israel🙏🏻

All public Independence Day events nationwide have been canceled due to the highest-level alert for extreme weather conditions and an increased risk of arson-related fires in multiple areas.

One of the suspects arrested by police in connection with the arson case