IDF soldiers light candles in Gaza
On the first night of Hanukkah, IDF soldiers in both Israel's southern and northern fronts lit candles in the field. Among others, paratroopers engaged in operational activities as part of the war in Gaza lit the first candle in the Shijaiyah neighborhood.
IDF paratroopers lighting candles on first night of Hanukkah in Gaza's Shijaiyah neighborhood
Meanwhile, in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Southern Command chief Major General Yaron Finkelman lit the first candle of Hanukkah alongside 551st Brigade reserve soldiers, who are currently fighting in the city's northern sector.
"This is a long, important and difficult war, and this is a symbolic moment of lighting Hanukkah candles," Finkelman said to the soldiers. "At this time when we are here in Jabaliya, our families are singing and lighting candles, relying on us and proud of you. You are the Maccabees of our time, and we will continue forward until victory."
Southern Command chief Major General Yaron Finkelman lights first Hanukkah candle with 551st Brigade reserve soldiers in Gaza's Jabaliya
(Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
IDF paratroopers lighting candles on first night of Hanukkah in Gaza
First candle lighting at the Western Wall for the captives
At the Western Wall Plaza, thousands marked the first night of Hanukkah in an event themed "Lighting the Light for the Captives." In a poignant gesture, 138 menorahs, corresponding with the number of captives held by Hamas, were illuminated by their families alongside the lighting of the central menorah at the plaza.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, Jerusalem District Police Commander Deputy Commissioner Doron Turgeman Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Jerusalem District Israel Police and Border Police officers.
Raya Rotem and her daughter Hila, who were released from captivity, light the first candle
Raya Rotem and her daughter Hila participated in lighting the first candle via Zoom with the evacuated members of Kibbutz Be'eri staying at the David Hotel at the Dead Sea.
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Raya and Hila Rotem light first candle of Hanukkah with members of Kibbutz Be'eri via Zoom
(Photo: Ronny Licht Rotem)
"Members of Be'eri, my friends, I light the first candle with you and dedicate it to the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas," Raya said.
"My name is Raya Rotem. On October 7, my daughter Hila and I were kidnapped from our home to the Gaza Strip by Hamas terrorists. Hila was separated from me and released after 50 days, and I was released four days later. We came out of the darkness into the light, so I direct this great light to our friends who are still in captivity. To remind us all that we need to bring back everyone, each and every one, so that we will have a strong light. I light a candle and hope for a Hanukkah miracle, for the return of all the captives, safe and healthy, for the security of the State of Israel and our home. May a great light come from here and illuminate everything."
Aviva Siegal, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with her husband Keith and released while he remained captive, lit candles with her grandchildren. The grandchildren sitting beside her hoped this evening "for a miracle, and that Grandpa will return to us soon."
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Aviva Siegal, her daughters and grandchildren light first candle of Hanukkah, wishing for speedy return of Grandpa Keith
(Photo: Elad Gershgorn)
Amit who returned from captivity lit candles in Tel Aviv: 'Excited to be here'
Hundreds participated in the first Hanukkah candle-lighting event in Tel Aviv. Among them was the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew who spoke with the families of the captives, and addressed the gathering.
Hanukkah candle-lighting event in Tel Aviv
(Video: Ido Erez)
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US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew at the Hanukkah candle-lighting event in Tel Aviv
(Photo: EPA /ABIR SULTAN)
Amit Shani, a 16-year-old resident of Be'eri who was released from Hamas captivity during the cease-fire, said at the event, "I am very excited and happy to be here this evening, the first night of Hanukkah, on Israeli soil. I am grateful to everyone who worked for the return of the captives. I am happy to finally be here in Israel, but we must continue to fight for the return of all captives until the last one."
Remembering the fallen police officers who died defending Israel
Earlier this week in Sderot, a 40-foot menorah was erected on the site where the city's police station once stood. On October 7, the station was overrun by terrorists from the Gaza Strip and subsequently destroyed in the ensuing battle.
Candle lighting with the survivors of the Nova music festival massacre
Exactly two months after the attack on the Nova desert rave near Kibbutz Re'im, a moving candle-lighting ceremony was held to honor the hundreds of revelers murdered on October 7. Survivors of the massacre gathered with friends and family in a unique therapeutic complex established for the party's victims at the Star of the Sea Hotel in Sdot Yam.
Lighting Hanukkah candles in memory of the victims of the Nova music festival
During the memorial event, attendees also paid tribute to Yonatan Azulai, Amit Ben Avidah and Karin Schwarzman, who were tragically killed in the attack. The Roladin chain contributed to the event, bringing a special cart filled with hundreds of doughnuts to sweeten the first night of Hanukkah as much as possible.
Tomer Black, manager of the Nova complex in Sdot Yam, said, "The memorial evening is when we remember the victims of Nova, those who partied but are no longer with us. Today is also the first night of Hanukkah, a candle of colorful light amidst all the memorial candles we have lit recently, souls connected to one large tribe."
Germany: The chancellor lights a Hanukkah menorah at Brandenburg Gate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz participated for the first time in the lighting of Europe's largest Hanukkah menorah at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. His appearance at the large Hanukkah menorah lighting takes place against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and rising antisemitism in Germany and many other countries worldwide.
Hanukkah candle-lighting at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lights first candle of Hanukkah in Berlin
"The terror against Israel shocked us and harmed Israeli citizens and humanity," said Scholz, who wore a kippah at the event and arrived under heavy security. "This terror must be condemned. We mourn together. Now we will light the Hanukkah menorah together and bring light to this place. I hope that this light will continue with us going forward."
First candle lighting in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lit the first Hanukkah candle in his office, alongside Chabad emissaries who also serve as city rabbis in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lights the first Hanukkah candle in his office
(Video: Office of the President of Ukraine )
"The light will prevail, here and in Israel," said Zelensky. The Ukrainian president, of Jewish descent, expressed his hope for "the victory of light over darkness, in those days and in this time." He added that the "darkness," in his view, represents "those who do not care about human life."
Ukrainian Jews are not forgoing Hanukkah celebrations even during the bombings. With the advent of the holiday, the first Hanukkah candle lighting took place at the central Chabad JCC synagogue in Kyiv, led by Kyiv's Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch.
Lighting candles in the yeshiva for the captives
As part of the solidarity shown by all sectors of Israeli society with the captives held by Hamas in Gaza, students at the Erlau Yeshiva in the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem placed 138 menorahs in the yeshiva hall, corresponding with the number of captives, each bearing the name of a captive.
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Erlau Yeshiva students light 138 menorahs for return of captives
(Photo: Yossi Zeliger)
The yeshiva students prepared the menorahs for the lighting, pouring olive oil and placing wicks, while singing emotional songs and praying for the release of the captives. They distributed the names of the captives among themselves, intending to remember them in prayer for their return, and during the lighting of the Hanukkah candles, traditionally known as a time of special favor, they mentioned the captives in anticipation of their speedy and safe return to their families.