"Israeli soldier takes own life following mandate to rejoin duties in Gaza"
PTSD Among Israeli Soldiers After Gaza Service: A Growing Crisis
A troubling trend has emerged among Israeli soldiers who have served in Gaza, with many returning home grappling with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Eliran Mizrahi, a reservist who served in Gaza from October 2020 until his death by suicide in June 2021, was one such soldier.
Mizrahi, who was diagnosed with PTSD, experienced nightmares, loss of patience, and silence. His tragic story is just one of many as the mental and moral burden on soldiers continues to grow, particularly with the potential expansion of military operations in Gaza.
The intense violence of combat, witnessing horrors, and psychological strain from being in a continuous warzone are primary causes of PTSD among these soldiers. Additional stress comes from the challenging transition period when soldiers leave the battlefield but are not yet fully reintegrated into civilian life.
The prevalence of PTSD among Israeli soldiers and civilians is alarmingly high. Estimates from Israel’s Health Ministry and military sources suggest that between 13,000 and 57,000 Israelis, including thousands of soldiers, are likely to develop PTSD in the context of the ongoing war. Over 10,000 soldiers have developed psychological problems, including PTSD, and are undergoing treatment.
The IDF prioritizes supporting its service members and invests significant resources in mental health support, including deploying mental health officers in all military units. However, the rising suicide rate among soldiers, with at least 42 taking their own lives since October 2023, indicates that the mental health crisis is reportedly underreported and censored by military authorities.
Tuly Flint, a former Israeli soldier, has refused to serve in the IDF after treating soldiers and becoming exposed to the extreme suffering of Gazans. Flint believes the war in Gaza has no purpose and is a crime against humanity.
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza is becoming a source of public unease in Israel, with a majority of Israelis now believing that only a deal, not military pressure, will bring the remaining hostages home. The erosion of trust between soldiers and those leading them due to the contradictions between what they see and what they are told is a concerning development.
Israel has levelled vast parts of Gaza, damaging or destroying over 90% of Gaza's homes, according to the UN. Eliran Mizrahi, who was commander of a unit of D9 bulldozers that destroyed buildings and tunnel shafts in Gaza, may have witnessed some of this destruction firsthand.
As the war in Gaza continues, it is crucial to address the mental health needs of the soldiers who serve there. The IDF's chief of staff has strong objections to Israel expanding military operations in Gaza, with plans to take control of the entire territory. Only by acknowledging and addressing the trauma soldiers face can we hope to prevent further tragedies like Eliran Mizrahi's.
References:
- Haaretz
- The Jerusalem Post
- The Times of Israel
- Al Jazeera
- The Lancet Psychiatry
- The rising suicide rate among Israeli soldiers, with at least 42 reported cases since October 2023, is indicative of an underreported and potentially censored mental health crisis.
- In addition to the physical destruction in Gaza, the psychological impact on Israeli soldiers, such as Eliran Mizrahi, who may have witnessed the destruction firsthand, is a lesser-discussed aspect of the war-and-conflicts.
- The alarmingly high prevalence of PTSD among Israeli soldiers and civilians, estimated to be between 13,000 and 57,000 individuals, warrants a closer look at the mental-health services and support provided by the IDF in the general-news.
- The increasing prevalence of PTSD among Israeli soldiers highlights the need for comprehensive mental-health and wellness programs, as well as a reevaluation of political strategies in war-and-conflicts like the one in Gaza, considering its detrimental effects on soldiers' mental health.
