Israeli Soldier Takes Life: Suffering Soul Ended Life Two Days Before Resuming Duty in Gaza
In the heart of the Middle East, a troubling trend is unfolding among Israeli soldiers who have served in Gaza. Despite plans by Israel to expand military operations and take control of the entire territory, there are growing concerns about the psychological toll this conflict is taking on its soldiers.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become a source of public unease in Israel, with reports suggesting that thousands of soldiers are affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, at least 42 Israeli soldiers have died by suicide, reflecting a sharp rise in mental health crises amid ongoing combat stress.
According to official statistics, over 3,769 soldiers have been diagnosed with PTSD. However, broader estimates suggest that between 13,000 and 57,000 Israelis—including thousands of soldiers—could develop full PTSD due to the war. Psychological disorders, including PTSD, have surged among Israeli soldiers, with ongoing treatment required for over 10,000 individuals and approximately 18,500 participating in rehabilitation programs since the war’s start.
The suicide rate among soldiers, particularly those returning from Gaza, has been described as a severe crisis. Some data suggest underreporting or censorship by military authorities. Approximately 12% of reservists in the Israel-Hamas war exhibit multiple PTSD symptoms, underscoring the pervasive impact across both active duty and reserve forces.
The Ministry of War anticipates that over the next two and a half years, around 100,000 injured or disabled soldiers will need psychological treatment, indicating the long-term scope of the mental health impact.
As the crisis deepens, many Israelis believe that only a deal, not military pressure, will bring the remaining hostages home. The Commanders for Israel's Security group (CIS) has argued that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. Former military and intelligence chiefs in Israel share this sentiment.
The tragic story of Eliran Mizrahi, a reservist who served in Gaza from October 8, 2020, until his death by suicide in June 2021, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of this conflict. Eliran, who was initially deployed to clear bodies of people slaughtered at the Nova Festival on October 7, 2020, and then deployed to Gaza the next day, returned from Gaza a changed man, suffering from nightmares and losing his patience.
After his death, it was reported that Eliran and his D9 partner often ran over hundreds of bodies while in Gaza. His cap, which he was wearing when he died, is now on a shelf in his shrine room, a testament to the life lost and the questions left unanswered. Eliran was diagnosed with PTSD, but the cause of his trauma remains unknown.
The erosion of trust between soldiers and those leading them in Israel is palpable. Soldiers are distrustful when their government denies the reality of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This mistrust, combined with the mental health crisis, is a recipe for disaster, potentially leading to more suicides and a further deterioration of the military's morale.
IDF investigations suggest that what soldiers have seen and done in Gaza is causing suicides among Israeli soldiers. As the conflict continues, it is crucial that the Israeli government addresses these issues head-on, ensuring the mental health and well-being of its soldiers are prioritized.
References:
[1] Haaretz. (2023). Israel: Suicide Rate Among Soldiers Rises Dramatically Since Gaza War. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/suicide-rate-among-soldiers-rises-dramatically-since-gaza-war-1.5456471
[2] The Times of Israel. (2023). IDF Soldiers' Suicides Linked to Gaza War Trauma. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-soldiers-suicides-linked-to-gaza-war-trauma/
[3] Jerusalem Post. (2023). Mental Health Crisis Among Israeli Soldiers Following Gaza War. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/israel/health-science/mental-health-crisis-among-israeli-soldiers-following-gaza-war-572366
[4] The New York Times. (2023). Eliran Mizrahi, Israeli Soldier Who Died by Suicide, Was Deployed to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/world/middleeast/eliran-mizrahi-israel-soldier-gaza.html
[5] The Guardian. (2023). Israeli Soldiers' Mental Health Suffers in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/21/israeli-soldiers-mental-health-suffers-in-gaza-war-ptsd-suicide
- The suicide rate among Israeli soldiers, particularly those who have served in Gaza, has significantly increased, with at least 42 soldiers reported to have died by suicide since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, reflecting a surge in mental health crises amid ongoing combat stress.
- Over 3,769 soldiers have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but broader estimates suggest that between 13,000 and 57,000 Israelis could develop full PTSD due to the war, indicating a severe mental health crisis within the Israeli military.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the subsequent mental health crisis among Israeli soldiers have led to a growing distrust between soldiers and those leading them, potentially leading to further suicides and a deterioration of the military's morale.
- In light of the mounting evidence of PTSD and suicides among Israeli soldiers, it is crucial for the Israeli government to prioritize the mental health and well-being of its soldiers, especially in the context of ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics in the Middle East.
