Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing: Your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel comprises military reporter Judah Ari Gross and editor-in-chief of ToI's Hebrew-language sister-site, Zman Yisrael, Biranit Goren, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Today is Israel's Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Hostile Acts and we recognize the 23,928 who gave up their lives for the Jewish state. We discuss how this number is reckoned from before the foundation of the state of Israel and how this year compares with previous years.

The wounds of war go well beyond the victims who fell in battle. Veteran Golani soldier Itzik Saidiyan, who suffers from Post-Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD) self-immolated this week in protest to an ongoing bureaucratic battle over his disability stipend. Ari Gross discusses what the IDF is doing to prevent further cases and to offer timely treatment to those in need.

At sunset the country will transition from a day of deep mourning to 24 hours of celebrating Israel's independence. Goren explains how this abrupt transition historically evolved, and how it feels to be a Sabra celebrating the two days next to each other.

Finally, Goren discusses two special features which will appear on her Zman Yisrael site tomorrow: A series of dozens of person essays along a chronological timeline for the "This is Our Israel" project and a special interview with 91-year-old Yael Medini, the daughter of Israel's second prime minister, Moshe Sharett.

Discussed articles include:

Israel comes to a standstill to remember 23,928 fallen

Israel marks Memorial Day after year with fewest ever deaths in war and terror

PTSD-afflicted IDF veteran still critical after setting himself alight

Trauma group sees surge in appeals after veteran with PTSD self-immolates

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Image: Bereaved families, friends and Israeli soldiers visit the graves of fallen soldiers during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on April 14, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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