Why it matters:
The rising number of suicides and the referral of thousands of soldiers to mental health centers point to a serious psychological crisis in the Israeli army.
Reports indicate that the number of soldiers suffering from psychological trauma exceeds the number of those physically wounded in the war. This crisis has affected not only the soldiers themselves but also their families.
The big picture:
According to the soldier’s family, he had been assigned to transport the bodies of soldiers from the Lebanese and Gaza fronts during the war and had frequently complained about the smell of corpses and the horrifying scenes of battle.
What they're saying:
Israeli media have also reported that the number of soldiers who have taken their own lives due to psychological trauma since the war began in October 2023 has reached 43 cases.
Key points:
- The Israeli army refused to hold a military funeral for the soldier.
- The number of soldiers committing suicide has heightened concerns about the long-term effects of the conflict on the mental health of military personnel.
Hossein Amiri
