Israeli army confirms spike in soldier suicides linked to Gaza war trauma

An internal Israeli military investigation has revealed a significant rise in suicides among soldiers, primarily linked to the severe psychological trauma and combat conditions experienced during the ongoing war in Gaza. Since the start of 2025, at least 16 soldiers have died by suicide, with 17 in 2023 and 21 in 2024, marking a troubling upward trend over recent years. The investigation found that prolonged exposure to combat, traumatic battlefield experiences, and the loss of comrades are central factors contributing to these deaths. Nearly 3,770 soldiers have been diagnosed with PTSD, and about 10,000 wounded soldiers are receiving psychological care, as the military acknowledges the complex mental health challenges faced by troops. In response, the Israel Defense Forces are increasing mental health support by expanding training for commanders to identify distress and boosting the number of mental health officers for both active-duty soldiers and reservists. Despite efforts to address these issues, concerns remain about the adequacy of support for soldiers, especially reservists and those returning from combat, amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.