Occupation: 22,000 Officers and Soldiers Injured Since the Start of the War on Gaza

SadaNews - The Ministry of the Occupation Army announced that its Rehabilitation Department is currently treating approximately 82,400 soldiers and former fighters injured during military service, including 22,000 who were injured since October 7, 2023, the date of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and the outbreak of the Israeli genocide war on the Gaza Strip.

The figures reported by the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post indicate that among the total number of injured, about 31,000 are receiving treatment for psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The ministry adds that 22,000 Israeli soldiers have been injured since the October 2023 war on Gaza, including 58% receiving treatment for mental health issues, noting that it receives about 1,500 requests monthly for recognition of psychological problems related to military service.

The ministry anticipates that the number of injured receiving treatment will reach 100,000 by 2028, with nearly half suffering from psychological disorders.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, more than a quarter of the current injured (26%) have been reported, including 132 who are now wheelchair-bound and 64 suffering complete disabilities at a rate of 100%, in addition to 88 amputees and 5 who have lost their sight due to war injuries.

In response to this significant increase in the number of injuries, the ministries of army and finance - according to the newspaper's report - have formed a public committee to discuss expanding support and treatment for soldiers and wounded veterans.

The army ministry confirmed it is about to increase the budget for the department by 53% to reach 8.3 billion shekels (2.57 billion dollars), with nearly half allocated for the treatment of psychological cases.

According to ministry data, the majority of the injured (68%) are over 40 years old, and the city of Modiin-Maccabim-Re’ut recorded the highest injury rate relative to its population, followed by Herzliya and Ramat Gan, while the oldest injured person is a veteran of the "Haganah" Zionist organization, currently 98 years old.