Suicide Reported Among Occupation Army Forces Raises Total to 18 Cases Since War on Gaza Started

SadaNews - The Israeli army discovered today, Monday, a soldier serving in the "Golan" brigade who passed away as a result of committing suicide inside a military base in northern Israel.

The soldier had enlisted about a year and a half ago and participated in combat in the Gaza Strip during the genocide that Israel has been conducting against the region for 696 days.

The military police reported that they have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, with findings to be later submitted to the military prosecution. The soldier's family has been notified of his death.

According to army data, this incident adds to 18 soldiers who have committed suicide since the beginning of this year, a number that exacerbates concerns about a rising wave that began with the outbreak of the war on Gaza.

In mid-August, a reserve officer committed suicide in a forest near Tiberias in northern Israel using a fragmentation grenade after having participated in combat rounds while suffering from psychological disorders.

According to Israeli data, about seven soldiers committed suicide during the last three months of 2023 alone, coinciding with the start of the war.

In 2024 alone, 21 suicide cases were recorded, before at least 19 more cases since the beginning of this year.

These figures show an unprecedented increase compared to the last ten years, which recorded an annual average of about 13 suicide cases.

The army attributes this rise to the significant increase in the number of soldiers called up for service, especially among reserve forces.

Last July, the head of the human resources branch in the army announced the formation of a committee to examine the support provided to discharged soldiers and reservists, following a soldier's suicide after having participated in an extended combat round.

Testimonials from families of some of the soldiers who committed suicide indicate that the scenes of war and the violent combat experiences played a crucial role in deteriorating their psychological state and driving them to the decision to end their lives.

Nevertheless, army data shows clear gaps, as it does not include soldiers who completed their service and then committed suicide.

Media reports indicate that at least 13 soldiers committed suicide after their discharge since the start of the war, including six since the beginning of this year.

Organizations concerned with treating those affected by post-traumatic stress disorders reported that the actual number is much higher, since many cases remain outside the scope of official documentation.

They estimate that most of these soldiers experienced severe trauma during their participation in the war or in previous confrontations.

In August alone, seven suicide cases were recorded among soldiers, including three in regular service, a reserve officer, in addition to three others who committed suicide after their discharge.