Overview
- Israel’s Defence Ministry says 22,300 personnel are in treatment for war-related injuries, with about 60% suffering from post-traumatic stress.
- The ministry reports a nearly 40% increase in PTSD cases since September 2023 and warns the total could rise sharply by 2028.
- An Israeli parliamentary committee documented 279 soldier suicide attempts between January 2024 and July 2025, with combat troops comprising 78% of 2024 cases.
- Mental-health professionals say months-long recognition reviews discourage soldiers from seeking care, while the ministry says assistance begins once evaluations start and support has expanded.
- The strain tracks with ongoing operations in Gaza and along the Lebanon front since the October 7 attack, with officials in Gaza and Lebanon reporting more than 71,000 and 4,400 deaths respectively and Israel reporting over 1,100 service members killed.