Families of the hostages have requested that some of the 12 torches be lit in the areas attacked by Hamas on October 7.
Israel canceled fireworks displays at national Independence Day celebrations because of the war with Hamas, Transport Minister Miri Regev said on Wednesday.
“In light of the events of Oct. 7 and the war, we are adjusting the format of the ceremony,” said Regev, who is overseeing Israel’s official Independence Day celebrations.
Regev also called on municipal leaders organizing celebrations in their localities to do likewise.
Independence Day, Israel’s 76th, begins at sundown on May 13.
Israel’s Memorial Day honoring fallen soldiers and terror victims is held the day before. A nationally televised torch-lighting ceremony at the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery marks the transition from the somber Memorial Day to the joy of Independence Day.
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