22 Thousand Israeli Soldiers Treated For Mental Disorders Since The War In Gaza In 2023 Broke Out

Israeli military illustration in the Gaza Strip. (Twitter/Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - An Israeli Ministry of Defense official said on Sunday the number of soldiers being treated for psychological disorders had seen a drastic spike since the latest conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine broke out in 2023.

Deputy Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Israel's Ministry of Defense Tamar Shimoni told Radio Military the ministry handled about 62,000 psychological cases on the night of October 7, 2023, and the figure had increased to around 85,000 cases, an increase she described as "unprecedented."

He said a third of Israeli soldiers faced psychological problems related to the October 7 incident, as reported by the Daily Sabah of Anadolu (8/12).

Shamoni further said a therapist is now treating up to 750 patients, and in some areas or even more, making it difficult to reach everyone who needs treatment quickly.

The Ministry of Defense's Rehabilitation Department said it had treated about 22.000 injured soldiers since October 7, 2023, more than half suffering from mental health problems.

According to the Ministry of Defense, about 58 percent of those treated by rehabilitation centers since the beginning of the war have suffered from posttraumatic stress disorders and other mental health disorders, quoted from The Times of Israel.

Among the 22.000 soldiers who experienced the disturbance, about 63 percent were reserve soldiers.

In November, the Yetioth Ahronoth newspaper warned of an "extensive psychological crisis" in Israel, citing an increase in drug addiction and nearly two million people requiring mental health support, including large numbers of soldiers.

In addition to mental disorders, Israeli media also reported an increase in suicide cases among the military.

Maariv newspaper reported on Saturday that a soldier died of suicide after suffering post-traumatic stress after fighting.

The newspaper added that a reserve officer from the Girati Brigade also died of suicide last week after experiencing psychological pressure.

According to Israeli military data published in October, the military recorded 279 suicide attempts for 18 months, including 36 deaths.

As of yesterday, about 373 Gazans have been killed and 970 others injured since the ceasefire took effect, while the total death toll from Palestine since October 2023 has reached 70,360, while injuries have reached 171,047, quoted from WAFA.