Israel Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar spoke at the memorial ceremony for the force's fallen soldiers at Pilots' Hill, saying: "On this Memorial Day, we find ourselves in a historic period, after more than two and a half years of a harsh and uniquely justified war against those who seek our destruction. We took off on October 7, and we will not land until we complete the heavy missions on our shoulders." Bar added: "This is the fifth time, and also the last, that I am speaking here in my capacity. The occasion is always moving, and this time even more so."