Growing Mental Health Crisis in the Israeli Army

According to official Israeli figures, more than 1,100 soldiers have died since the hostilities began. The psychological impact is not limited to those who fought in Gaza. The document indicates that combat soldiers accounted for 78% of suicide cases in Israel during 2024. Psychological pressure is exacerbated by the continuity of operations. Professionals in the field state that this bureaucracy discourages many from seeking early assistance, increasing the risk of self-harm or suicide. An Israeli parliamentary report released in October revealed that between January 2024 and July 2025, 279 suicide attempts were recorded among soldiers, a figure much higher than in previous years. The Israel Defense Forces are facing a growing mental health crisis among their ranks due to the protracted war in Gaza, persistent clashes on the northern front with Hezbollah, and the military deployment in Syria. Many of them remain on active duty or have been reintegrated into civilian life without an adequate therapeutic process, which aggravates the symptoms. Israel's healthcare system has begun to reflect this situation. In addition to the conflict in Gaza, there have been exchanges of fire with Hezbollah on the Lebanese border and military operations in Syrian territory, which involved the mass mobilization of regular troops and reservists. In southern Lebanon, troops remain deployed while a process of Hezbollah's disarmament is being implemented, and in Syria, Israel occupies expanded zones since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. Soldiers who were attacked during Hamas's incursion into military bases in the south of the country also present severe cases of trauma. Maccabi, the country's second-largest healthcare provider, reported in its 2025 balance sheet that 39% of military personnel under its coverage requested mental health assistance, while 26% reported symptoms of depression. Official projections warn that the figure could grow by up to 180% by the year 2028 if the current pace of deployment and combat exposure continues. The Israeli army maintains a presence in more than half of the Gaza Strip, where clashes persist despite a partial truce backed by the United States. This is compounded by rising tensions with Iran, which revive the risk of a new large-scale regional conflict. With mental health institutions overwhelmed and a growing number of soldiers exposed to prolonged combat, the psychological crisis is beginning to be considered one of the main internal strategic challenges for Israel, in a scenario where the war seems far from a definitive resolution. Sources consulted: Israeli Ministry of Defense, Israeli parliamentary reports, national medical studies, Maccabi Healthcare Services, veteran support organizations, international media, and news agencies. The latter is associated with decisions made under extreme pressure that resulted in civilian deaths, a psychological burden that many soldiers describe as impossible to process or reverse. Access to state help, however, presents obstacles. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense increased the budget for psychological and psychiatric treatments and registered a nearly 50% increase in the use of alternative therapies. Civilian organizations and specialized NGOs have also expanded their intervention. Initiatives such as HaGal Sheli, which uses surfing for therapeutic purposes, receive hundreds of soldiers and reservists affected by combat trauma. Clinical psychologists working with veterans point out that, in addition to the extreme fear experienced in combat situations—including the constant fear of death—there is a strong component of moral injury. Currently, of the more than 22,300 soldiers and security personnel receiving treatment for war wounds, six out of ten show symptoms compatible with post-traumatic stress disorder. The war, which began after the October 7, 2023 attack, quickly expanded to other fronts. To receive official recognition and full coverage, soldiers must undergo an evaluation committee from the Ministry of Defense, a process that can extend for months. Other former military personnel resort to animal-assisted therapies, such as dogs trained for emotional support. Specialists warn that the trauma soldiers face has multiple dimensions. Official reports and medical studies reveal a significant increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal behavior among soldiers and reservists, a phenomenon that is beginning to generate structural concern within Israel's defense system. According to recent data from the Ministry of Defense, PTSD diagnoses among military personnel have increased by nearly 40% since September 2023, following Hamas's attack on southern Israel and the start of the offensive in Gaza.