IDF 53rd Battalion Memorial, Military cenotaph in Negev, Israel.

The 53rd Battalion Memorial is a pine-forested hilltop site beside the Kiryat Malakhi–Ashkelon road, near Camp Emmanuel. A path through the grove leads to a clearing with a central rock bearing the inscription "To the heroes who did not merit", six stone tablets listing the fallen, a memorial flame cup, three flagpoles and benches. Low stone groups along the path commemorate soldiers killed together in specific battles.

Veterans of the 53rd Battalion initiated the memorial in 1952, and architect Shimon Margolin, a former battalion and company commander, designed it; at first it consisted only of the rock that still stands beside the name panels. Ahead of Israel's 60th anniversary, the Ministry of Defense's unit for commemorating soldiers expanded and renovated the site. It is maintained by the "Sadanai HaShiryon" industrial school.

The memorial's central rock bears the Hebrew inscription "לגיבורים שלא זכו" ("To the heroes who did not merit it"), and a stone slab in front reads "גדוד 53 גבעתי תש"ח" with a memorial flame cup. Low, rounded memorial stones flank the path, each group naming soldiers killed together in one battle, such as Negba or the convoy to Gat and Gal On.

The memorial is located in the Negev region and is accessible on foot. Visitors should prepare for varying weather and sun exposure typical of desert conditions.

The 1952 monument was only the rock now standing beside the name tablets; the pine grove was planted by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael. Ahead of Israel's 60th anniversary the site was expanded and renovated by the Ministry of Defense's soldier commemoration unit, and it is maintained by the "Sadanai HaShiryon" industrial school.