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656 Israelis killed in eight days of war

By Jerusalem Post Military Reporters
October 15, 1973

TEL AVIV — The Army spokesman yesterday announced that 656 members of the armed forces had lost their lives since the beginning of the war 8 days ago. The families have been informed.

The only name disclosed was that of Aluf Avraham Mendler, commanding officer of the armored forces in Sinai. No details as to the circumstances of his death available here yesterday.

Announcements were also made to the families of missing men known to have been taken prisoner.

There are also about 2000 wounded in hospitals.

The IDF Chief Rabbinate has issued directives concerning the mourning for the fallen whereby according to these directions the shiva — the ritual week of deep mourning — will begin only after the Simhat Torah on Thursday.

The delay in publishing the casualty list is believed to have been due to the fact that it took some time for the army’s manpower division and Adjutant-General’s Division to check all details concerning the identities of the dead, and the prisoners-of-war, before the next of kin could be notified.

Since the present struggle began as a defensive war and many frontline positions were overrun, the army could not — unlike in an offensive sweep where the casualties are left within the Israeli lines — obtain immediate details concerning the casualties.

A substantial number of men have managed to trek back through the Egyptian lines.

In a statement over Israel TV last night, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan said the casualties of the Six Day War were announced after the fighting and the nation could then join in mourning. "Now we are in the midst of war and we cannot give public expression to our profound sorrow. We must fight fearlessly with the faith and courage of a nation aware that it is fighting for its life."

"The memory and glory of the fallen we will keep within us, in our hearts. Today all we can say to the bereaved families is how much we are with them in their grief. We are a nation whose destiny is shaped by its fighters and fallen sons. It is through this road which they have helped build that we will attain a secure state recognized by our neighbors, and peace, even though the road is long."

The number of enemy prisoners taken by the IDF at yesterday’s count was 414, including 58 officers.

JPost Features AMOTZ ASA-EL: The big one The Yom Kippur War: The epic confrontation that transformed the Middle East ABRAHAM RABINOVICH: The height of hutzpa MOTTI ASHKENAZI: Just a scared soldier MEIR RONNEN: 'Sic transit gloria' YEHEZKEL DROR: Re-engineering history MARTIN VAN CREVELD: The last conventional war YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI: War and atonement HAIM SABATO: Days of Awe PINCHAS LANDAU: The rise and fall of oil From JPost Archives 7.10.1973 - Egyptian-Syrian attacks held 10.10.1973 - Israel regroups along the Canal. Syrians halted 9.10.1973 - Israel takes offensive, bitter battles raging. Syrian armored units bid to counter-attack 9.10.1973 - Many Syrians said fleeing on foot 9.10.1973 - 13-tank Yuval tells his story 9.10.1973 - Wounded tell of battle in Sinai 9.10.1973 - Yariv: No rapid conquest; Bar-Lev line is evacuated 14.10.1973 - Thrust into Syria widens over 21-kilometer front 14.10.1973 - Last Israeli strongpoint surrenders 15.10.1973 - 656 Israelis killed in eight days of war 15.10.1973 - Egyptian forces lose 200 tanks; drive on Damascus continues. Israelis beat back Egyptians 15.10.1973 - Arabs won't accept cease-fire: Decisive battle ahead - Dayan 17.10.1973 - Israel task force crosses Canal. Syria loses 105 tanks, 10 planes 17.10.1973 - Anti-aircraft missile batteries destroyed 19.10.1973 - Heavy Egyptian tank and plane losses as counter-attack fails 21.10.1973 - Israel forces widen Canal Bridge-Head 22.10.1973 - Israel expands bridgehead, downs 32 enemy aircraft 23.10.1973 - Shooting continues at Canal despite Israel-Egypt cease-fire 26.10.1973 - Emerged from great danger, Golda says 28.10.1973 - Israel, Egypt agree to meet on supplies for 3rd army, truce Non-military convoy to be sent 4.11.1973 - Government to probe questions about war, Bar-Lev believes 13.11.1973 - Sharon tells how he crossed the Canal 25.09.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 1 25.09.1998 - A sober look at how the war was won 25.09.1998 - A victory remembered as a defeat 27.09.1998 - History may repeat itself 29.09.1998 - EDITORIAL: The watershed war 29.09.1998 - Two wars in one, vividly relived 2.10.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 2 7.10.1998 - Egypt marks anniversary of Yom Kippur War 9.10.1998 - A Diary from Hell 11.10.1989 - Memorial service marks 16 years since Yom Kippur War 14.09.1994 - Another fiasco like 1973? 17.09.1999 - War and Lack of Inner Peace 11.10. 2000 - Barak preaches unity sermon to families of fallen 28.09. 2001 Debunking a myth: Dayan never feared Israel's 1.10. 2001 - Security checks delay start of Yom Kippur War memorial ------------------------------------------------------ [ Click Here to Start the Photo Tour ] ------------------------------------------------------