Due to Gaza’s nightmares, number of suicides in Israeli army has increased

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, May 08 (YPA) – Israeli sources reported a significant increase in soldier suicides, particularly among reservists, amid warnings that a larger wave may be imminent, as many of them have become time bombs that could explode at any moment.

The Shomrim website, which means “guards” in Hebrew, reported that stories of regular and reserve soldiers committing suicide following the outbreak of the aggression on Gaza on October 7 have been kept secret until now.

It noted that in early January 2025, the army published statistics regarding what it described as “victims” for 2023 and 2024. The figures show a clear increase in suicides, with 21 cases recorded in 2024 and 17 in 2023, the highest rate since 2011.

The website’s report added that the vast majority of soldiers who committed suicide over the past year were reservists. The army justifies this by citing the relatively low rate, given the doubling of the number of reservists recruited since the start of the war.

Professor Yossi Levy-Blaz, head of the Suicide Research Center at the Ruppin Academic Center, warned of an impending wave of suicides among soldiers. He explained that figures for the past few years show a relative decline due to Israelis’ sense during the October 7 crisis that they were not alone, as the external enemy posed a greater threat than personal crises.

However, he added that as soldiers return to their daily lives, the danger intensifies, particularly among reservists suffering from war trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, which exposes them to significant psychological pressure and may increase the likelihood of suicide.

One of the families of the soldiers who committed suicide noted that their son always spoke of the horrific scenes he witnessed on October 7. He saw the road to Kibbutz Nahal Oz littered with the bodies of settlers, and he and his comrades spent hours removing these bodies amidst the stench. The family explained that he was unable to adjust to normal life after that, especially as he suffered from constant feelings of sadness and crying.

Sheri Daniels, National Professional Director of the Aran Association, explained that soldiers fighting in the violent conflicts of Gaza experience a rapid heartbeat and adrenaline rush during combat. However, the moment they return home, far from the battlefield, they are shocked by the reality of their situation, which leads to psychological breakdown.

“In times of war, we experience sharp transitions between daily routine and emergency situations, and we find ourselves living a fluid game between land and sea. Adapting to these changes can be extremely difficult, because the skills and attributes required for war are completely different from those required in home life.”

Daniels noted that she spoke with soldiers after their return from Gaza who showed signs of psychological stress. She emphasized to them that the situation is completely different between fighting in Gaza, where the focus is on survival and confrontation, and returning home, where different mental and life skills are required. She explained that these transitions create significant psychological instability.

She also reported that many of the soldiers she met expressed feelings of great helplessness when trying to return to daily life. Many of them suddenly feel alienated from their familiar surroundings. She added that the fighting in Gaza seems clear and defined, but reclaiming their role as citizens remains a highly complex process. 

YPA