Why it matters:
The crisis underscores how the ongoing war and policies pursued by Netanyahu’s government are not only devastating Gaza but also eroding the mental resilience of Israel’s own forces.
The big picture:
Analysts and military support groups say the surge is directly linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive war policies, particularly the prolonged campaign in Gaza, which has intensified trauma among soldiers.
By the numbers:
- Suicide rates among reserve forces have risen 56% since the war began.
- In the past two years, about 280 soldiers attempted suicide, with nearly 60 fatalities.
- Hundreds of soldiers have sought help from mental health institutions, citing severe post‑traumatic stress and a lack of adequate support.
What they’re saying:
Military associations stress these cases are not isolated, but part of a systemic failure to address soldiers’ psychological needs. They urge the government to implement urgent, real programs for mental health support and suicide prevention.
Go deeper:
Suicide of Israeli Soldiers for War Psychological Issues Grows Concerns
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
