Israeli army admits Gaza conflict driving surge in troop suicides

The Israeli regime’s national radio and television network (KAN) reported on Sunday morning that the army’s latest research shows that mental and emotional stress from being on the battlefield, losing comrades, and the inability to cope with traumatic events have driven Israeli soldiers to take their own lives.

Since the beginning of 2025, 16 Israeli soldiers have committed suicide, and the Israeli army is deeply concerned about the sharp increase in this trend.

A senior military official told the Hebrew-language outlet that most suicide cases among soldiers are the result of the complex conditions of war and occur after soldiers return from combat. The army has examined each suicide case individually, reviewing farewell letters and conversations the deceased had with those around them shortly before their deaths.

The official admitted: “We are facing a serious challenge. Many Israeli soldiers share similar circumstances. We are drawing conclusions and providing these findings to commanders, who must also be trained to detect early signs of psychological distress among troops. Mental health officers have been deployed to conflict zones. We have added 200 mental health technicians to our regular forces and 600 to our reserve forces.”

According to the report, statistics show a year-on-year rise in suicides in the Israeli army:

• In 2021, there were 11 soldier suicides.
• In 2022, the number rose to 14.
• In 2023, it climbed to 17.
• In 2024, the number reached 21, including 12 reservists.
• So far in 2025 — by the end of July — 16 Israeli soldiers have taken their own lives, seven of them reservists.