Israelis begin Yom Kippur amid war and rocket fire

As the sun set on Friday, Israelis commenced the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a sacred day of fasting and repentance in Judaism.

Traditionally, life in Israel grinds to a halt for 24 hours, with the country observing strict religious customs, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

This year, however, Yom Kippur began under the shadow of active conflict, marking the first time since 1973 that Israel is engaged in war on this holy day.

The nation was on high alert as combat operations continued in Lebanon and Gaza, with over 120 rockets fired into Israel in the early hours of the holiday. Special alert systems remained in place to warn the population of the ongoing threat, as tensions with Iran escalated.

Yom Kippur, which is observed on the tenth day of the Jewish lunar calendar, is a day for reflection and atonement. This year, it came as Israelis looked back on a year of turmoil and suffering, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which initiated a conflict that has yet to subside.

According to Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur is a day of complete rest and strict fasting for 25 hours. Known in the Pentateuch as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths,” all work is prohibited, and adherents observe five additional restrictions: no eating, drinking, washing, sexual relations, or wearing leather shoes. White clothing, symbolizing purity, is customarily worn on this day.

Yom Kippur is a national holiday in Israel, and its observance is respected by both religious and secular citizens. As a result, the country came to a standstill: all businesses, stores, cafes, restaurants, and industrial enterprises shut down. Public transportation ceased, all airports suspended operations, and land borders were closed. Even radio and television broadcasts were halted until the conclusion of the holiday on the evening of October 12.

By Tamilla Hasanova