- 1,600 Israeli soldiers showed stress symptoms, 250 discharged during ‘Operation Swords of Iron.’
- IDF mental health concerns include 1,000 soldiers seeking extra support, 3,475 receiving care. In August 2023, a former IDF member, denied PTSD acknowledgment, died after self-immolating.
Approximately 1,600 Israeli soldiers have exhibited symptoms of stress, shell shock, and combat fatigue since October 7th, according to data obtained by Israeli newspaper, Walla. In addition, 250 IDF soldiers have been discharged from active service due to prolonged combat stress symptoms during the Israeli Defence Force’s designated ‘Operation Swords of Iron’, otherwise referred to as the blood bath of Palestinians, or genocide. Consequently, The IDF mental health department is concerned about reservists returning to civilian life, asserting, ‘functioning difficulties, of a situation where daily life starts to feel meaningless’.
In addition, approximately 1,000 soldiers sought additional support at combat trauma rehabilitation centres, finding on-site psychological assistance insufficient.
Soldiers in need of physical, psychological, or financial support post-service are directed to the Rehabilitation Division of the Defense Ministry for extended care. Since October 7th, approximately 3,475 soldiers, mainly those with physical injuries, have received treatment. Additionally, there have been around 760 appeals for psychological aid.
IDF soldiers setting themselves on fire
In August 2023, a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, whose request for acknowledgment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was rejected, died after self-immolating at his residence in the coastal city of Netanya, as was confirmed by the Defense Ministry and medical authorities. The Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan reported that the individual, identified as 33-year-old Bar Kalaf, was admitted with extensive burns covering his entire body and subsequently died.
Pictured: Bar Kalaf, who set himself on fire in Netanya, August 1, 2023
In 2021, another IDF soldier diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, self-immolated outside a central Israel Defense Ministry office dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured soldiers, as was confirmed by the ministry. The 26-year-old man named Itzik Saidyan suffered severe injuries, sustaining burns across his entire body.
