Acting President Dalia Itzik said Sunday that Israel would not forget its obligation to abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers, during an address to the official Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

"We will remember the wounded and our obligation to bring back the abducted [soldiers] who are being held by Hamas and Hezbollah as well as our obligation to seek information on the fate of missing troops," added Itzik.

Israelis across the country stood at attention Sunday as sirens wailed to signal the beginning of Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.

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The sounding of the siren was followed by memorial ceremonies throughout the country. The official ceremony was held the Western Wall in Jerusalem, with the participation of Itzik, other public officials, senior officers and bereaved families.

"The war for the establishment of independence is still ongoing and the road to peace and security is still long," Itzik said. "We are surrounded by enemies who have yet to accept our existence and we must prepare to deal with threats from near and far."

"On this evening, in with the nation unites to remember the fallen, we must remember what we have thanks to them, the array of the achievements of the State of Israel, which is still young and fragile, wrought with storms and dealing with disparity, and is nonetheless a light unto the nations," she continued.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told those attending the ceremony that the IDF is doing what it can to rectify the problems it encountered in the Second Lebanon War.

"We have thoroughly investigated the last war and are engaged in correcting the malfunctions," he said. "We must do all we can in order to worthy of the heroism of those who fought in that war."

Ashkenazi also talked about the importance of a strong army for the country.

"Fifty-nine years since the rebirth of the Jewish people, the IDF stands on guard for the nation and the land. We are the People of the Book, but we also know to grasp the sword when the time comes," he said.

"The last year was a difficult one for Israel and the IDF, names have been added to the stone tablets, and rows have been added to the cemeteries. Often I'm asked if we will swing the sword forever, when will we achieve peace and prosperity. My answer is clear and resolute: Only a high-quality and determined IDF based on the best of fighters can bring the region to recognize that negotiations must only be conducted at the negotiating table," he continued.

"We are not an army that desires war, but rather a defensive army, but if war is imposed upon us, we will do all that is necessary for the residents of Israel in their homes and tranquil borders."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said at a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem that Israel has an obligation to fallen soldiers and their families to do all it can to avoid war and make peace.

Olmert said Israel is attentive to what is being done by Arab states toward achieving peace.

"It is our obligation to the fallen soldiers and their families and all the citizens of Israel to do all we can in order to traverse the long road toward preventing war and making peace."

Israelis across the country stood at attention for one minute at 8 P.M. Sunday night as sirens were sounded to signal the beginning of Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.

A two-minute siren will sound at 11 A.M. Monday, after which official ceremonies will be held in 43 military cemeteries throughout the country, attended by government ministers, MKs, officers and bereaved families.

Memorial Day will end Monday evening with the traditional torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, followed immediately by the opening of the festivities of Israel's 59th Independence Day.