Over 80,000 Israeli soldiers received treatment for psychological disorders since Gaza war: Official
An Israeli official says the number of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions, and receiving treatment in rehabilitation centers, has risen sharply since the start of the war on Gaza more than two years ago.
Tamar Shimoni, the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Rehabilitation Department, told Israeli Army Radio network that approximately 62,000 psychological cases were addressed by the ministry on the evening of October 7, 2023. Since then, the number has surged to around 85,000 — an increase she characterized as extraordinary and without precedent.
She stated that approximately one-third of Israeli soldiers are experiencing psychological challenges associated with the events of the Gaza onslaught.
Shamoni explained that a single therapist is now responsible for managing up to 750 patients, and in certain regions, the number is even higher, making it challenging to provide timely care to everyone in need.
According to Hebrew-language media outlets, a reserve officer from the Givati Brigade took his own life on December 4 following intense psychological distress connected to his involvement in the Gaza war.
The newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the 28-year-old Israeli reserve officer committed suicide, possibly due to post-traumatic stress disorder, and later during ground offensives inside the Gaza Strip.
Israel Hayom added that he had written shortly before the incident that he “could no longer live and was experiencing destruction and loss,” with no further details provided about the circumstances of his death.
By the end of last October, official Israeli reports disclosed 279 suicide attempts within the army over an 18-month span, during which 36 soldiers lost their lives to suicide.
The Israeli ministry of military affairs said in a statement on Monday that it has treated nearly 22,000 wounded soldiers since the Gaza war.
According to the ministry, some 58 percent of those treated by the rehab centers are suffering from mental health conditions.
The ministry noted that nearly 1,500 new treatment requests are submitted by wounded soldiers each month.
It further stated that the rehabilitation department currently provides care for 82,400 wounded veterans, 9% of whom are women, including those injured in previous wars.
Some 48% of all wounded veterans were injured during their mandatory military service, 26% during reserve duty, 13% during career service, and 9% are police personnel, the ministry stated.
Israel has killed at least 70,365 people, mostly women and children, and injured 171,058 in Gaza since October 2023.
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