The Alarming Surge in Suicides Among Israeli Soldiers: The Psychological Toll of War

The Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" has published a detailed report shedding light on a deeply troubling and growing phenomenon: a sharp increase in suicide cases among Israeli army soldiers, particularly within the reserve forces. These tragic figures come amidst the ongoing war of annihilation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been raging for nearly two years, raising serious questions about the psychological repercussions of the conflict.

Despite attempts by the Israeli army to downplay the significance of this trend and attribute it to the increased number of reservists mobilized, "Yedioth Ahronoth" argues that this rise poses a significant danger to Israel. Official data released by the army shows a clear escalation: 17 soldiers died by suicide in 2023, a number that rose to 21 in 2024, marking the highest recorded figure since 2011.

In this context, Israeli expert Professor Yossi Levy Beltz has warned that Israel may face a "major wave of suicides." Levy Beltz explained that the mobilization against an "external enemy" does not necessarily lead to an immediate increase in suicides. However, once things return to normal, many Israelis, including reservists, will feel the effects of the psychological trauma they have endured. He believes this stage will be the most dangerous, likely seeing a sharp rise in suicide cases.

Israeli media outlets corroborate these concerns, with 18 soldiers having died by suicide since the beginning of this year alone, the most recent being a soldier at a military base in the northern region. The month of July was particularly grim, with seven soldiers taking their own lives, according to the newspaper "Haaretz," which prompted the head of the army's Human Resources Division, Dado Bar Kalifa, to form a committee to examine the level of psychological and social support provided to discharged soldiers and reservists.

Furthermore, data revealed by Israeli media is shocking: more than 10,000 soldiers are still undergoing treatment for psychological crises and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite these massive numbers, only 3,769 soldiers have been officially recognized as coping with PTSD and receiving specialized treatment, highlighting a significant gap in the care provided.