Heroes in the Shadows and on the Front Lines: Israel Announces Torchbearers for 77th Independence Day Ceremony

By: Fern Sidman

In a powerful tribute to courage, resilience, and national unity, Israel has announced the selected individuals who will light torches at the opening ceremony of its 77th Independence Day next week — a ceremony that carries even greater emotional weight in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas massacre and the ongoing war with Iran-backed terrorist groups.

Oren Smadja (center) at the funeral of his son, Omer Smadja, who was killed in combat in the Gaza StripFlash90

As reported on Tuesday by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), Transport Minister Miri Regev unveiled the full list of torchbearers for the 2025 event, themed “Bridges of Hope.” Among them are three Mossad agents who executed a landmark covert operation in Lebanon that dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure — an unprecedented public acknowledgment of an intelligence success previously shrouded in secrecy.

“These individuals reflect the best of Israeli society,” said Regev, according to JNS. “In a year marked by conflict, grief, and strength, these torchbearers stand as beacons of hope.”

The identities of the three Mossad agents remain classified, but their contribution has been publicly recognized for the first time. As JNS reported, the agents were responsible for a high-risk operation inside Lebanon that disabled thousands of pager devices used by Hezbollah operatives to coordinate across multiple command tiers.

The mission’s success disrupted Hezbollah’s internal communications, hindering their ability to coordinate operations and respond rapidly — a critical asset in the field of psychological warfare.

Regev, speaking to JNS, emphasized the “strategic depth” of the operation, calling it “a quiet triumph of intelligence that has saved lives and reshaped the battlefield in Israel’s favor.”

This acknowledgment comes at a time when Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union, and others, has escalated its involvement in multi-front assaults against Israel under Iranian direction.

Joining the Mossad operatives on the ceremonial stage will be individuals whose personal tragedies and triumphs have become national symbols.

IDF soldier Elisha Medan, who lost both legs in a Gaza explosion that killed four fellow soldiers, was chosen for his inspirational journey from devastation to national advocacy. Medan has since dedicated himself to public service, speaking to schools, soldiers, and the public about endurance, purpose, and patriotism.

Also recognized is Emily Damari, a former hostage held by Hamas for 471 days. Damari has emerged as a powerful voice of endurance in Israel’s ongoing struggle to bring all hostages home. Her release, widely covered by JNS, was one of the most emotional national moments of the past year.

Eli Sharabi, whose personal story encapsulates the deep scars of October 7, will also light a torch. Having lost two brothers in the Hamas massacre and with a third still in captivity, Sharabi has become a leading advocate for hostage families, relentlessly calling on the international community to act.

This year’s torch lighting will also include voices from outside Israel, most notably Ben Shapiro, the U.S.-based conservative political commentator and co-founder of The Daily Wire. Known for his outspoken defense of Israel across global media platforms, Shapiro has drawn attention to rising antisemitism in Western academic and political institutions. As the JNS report noted, his inclusion is a strong signal of Israel’s commitment to unifying Jewish voices worldwide.

From the world of sports and sacrifice, Oren Smadja, an Israeli Olympic judo medalist and coach, will participate in honor of his son, IDF soldier Yonatan Smadja, who was killed in Gaza. His story, covered extensively by JNS, symbolizes the fusion of athletic excellence and military service that defines many Israeli families.

In a moment of national unity across communities, Lt. Col. Faiz Fares, a Druze commander in the IDF, will also be honored. Fares led daring rescue operations during the October 7 attacks, reportedly saving dozens of civilians and soldiers under fire. His heroism highlights the integral role of non-Jewish minorities in Israel’s defense fabric — a point frequently emphasized in JNS coverage of Israel’s diverse security services.

Rounding out the list is Lt. Col. (res.) Hagit Alon Ahrar, an educator and mother whose son was killed in a Hezbollah drone strike. Despite her personal loss, she continues to serve in the IDF reserves and has become a symbol of female resilience and military leadership.

According to the JNS report, this year’s theme, “Bridges of Hope,” was selected to underscore the enduring spirit of the Israeli people — to build connections in a fractured world, to carry light through darkness, and to affirm life in the wake of death.

The torch lighting ceremony, held annually at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, serves not only as the formal opening of Israel’s Independence Day celebrations but also as a collective act of remembrance and resolve.

In this year’s lineup — from the intelligence agent operating in the shadows, to the amputee soldier turned advocate, to the bereaved mother and the international Jewish voice — Israel sends a clear message: unity, sacrifice, and resilience remain the cornerstone of its national identity.

This ceremony will not just honor past victories — it will signal Israel’s refusal to surrender its future to fear.