Rising Suicide Rates in Israeli Army Amid Post-Gaza War Trauma

Watan-The Israeli occupation army is experiencing an unprecedented wave of psychological distress among its soldiers and officers, with Israeli reports revealing a concerning rise in suicide rates following the recent war on Gaza.

The reports confirm that many soldiers and officers who participated in military operations are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading to a noticeable increase in suicides—an internal crisis that threatens the army’s cohesion.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a report on the suicide of a major in the occupation police, who took his own life after suffering severe psychological repercussions from his participation in the recent fighting.

The officer had served for over 25 years in the police force and held key responsibilities in crime prevention, but the psychological trauma he endured in Gaza proved too overwhelming.

Mental Health Crisis in Israeli Army

This was not an isolated case. Israel has recorded multiple suicides among its soldiers following the October 7 attack. A comprehensive investigation revealed that most of those who took their own lives were unable to cope with the horrors of war and its deep psychological effects.

Soldiers are haunted by scenes of killing and destruction, either those they participated in or witnessed, making them highly vulnerable to PTSD. This often leads them to social withdrawal, psychological breakdowns, or, in extreme cases, suicide.

According to Israeli sources, most of the soldiers who have taken their own lives were young recruits still undergoing basic training or in their first year of service, highlighting the lack of psychological preparedness for the horrors of war.

Psychological Crisis Weighs on Israeli Military

These soldiers face a double dilemma: on one hand, the culture within the Israeli military discourages them from expressing their struggles for fear of appearing weak; on the other hand, the accumulated psychological pressure ultimately results in tragic actions such as violent outbursts or suicide.

Statistics indicate that 35% of soldiers who underwent medical evaluations after leaving Gaza suffer from severe psychological disorders, while 15% are unable to return to combat due to acute mental health crises. As a result, army leadership has been forced to discharge large numbers of soldiers, particularly from units that fought in Gaza and Lebanon—further weakening the occupation army in the long run.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are facing sharp criticism for neglecting the psychological crisis spreading within the military. Soldiers suffering from war trauma feel abandoned and ignored by the political and military leadership.

As this crisis escalates, it is becoming evident that the war on Gaza has not only left physical destruction in the Strip but has also inflicted deep psychological scars on the Israeli army, threatening its stability and exposing its internal fragility.