Israel began its national memorial day for the Oct. 7 massacre on Monday, lowering flags to half-staff and holding state, local, and school commemorations for those killed in the Hamas attack and the war that followed. 

The observance, established by law on the Hebrew calendar for Tishrei 24, falls this year on October 5, two days before the third Gregorian anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack. It remains a regular workday, and no nationwide siren is expected. 

At 6:29 a.m., Israeli flags at the Knesset plaza were lowered to half-staff in a ceremony attended by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Knesset Director-General Moshe (Chico) Edri and Knesset Officer Chief Superintendent Yuval Chen. Wreaths were placed at memorials for fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of hostile acts. 

President Isaac Herzog also lowered the flag at the President’s Residence, which said the gesture represented national mourning for civilians and soldiers killed in the attack and the ‘Iron Swords’ war, as well as recognition of those injured physically and psychologically. 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed the military’s responsibility for the attack in an order of the day marking three years since the massacre. 

“The IDF failed in its supreme mission to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” Zamir wrote. “It is our duty to investigate and ensure that the lessons are implemented so that we are more worthy of the trust the people have placed in us.” 

Two national ceremonies are scheduled at Mount Herzl. The first, at 11:00 a.m., will commemorate those killed by Hamas on October 7 and soldiers killed since the war began. Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Zamir, Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy, Shin Bet chief David Zini and Mossad chief Roman Gofman are expected to attend. 

A second ceremony honoring victims of terror will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Victims of Hostile Acts Memorial. 

Flags will remain at half-mast at state institutions, police stations, prisons and IDF bases. Schools nationwide will hold ceremonies and special activities, while dozens of memorial events, rallies and testimony sessions are planned across Israel.