Israeli soldier sets himself on fire outside War Ministry office

Channel 12 News reported that the soldier, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), set himself ablaze outside the home of a senior official from the Ministry of War’s rehabilitation division.

The Israeli Army Radio said the former soldier sustained severe burns and injuries after igniting himself.

The station also reported that 50% of Israeli soldiers injured in Gaza since October 7 are now suffering from mental health problems.

Earlier, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that dozens of wounded soldiers, many of whom developed psychological disorders due to the Gaza war, had protested outside the Ministry of War building, demanding equal treatment and better medical care.

The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing the Ministry of Defense’s rehabilitation center, said that around 80,000 injured Israeli soldiers are currently undergoing treatment, 26,000 of whom suffer from psychological disorders.

According to Imad Abu Imad, an expert on Israeli affairs, the rising suicide rate among Israeli soldiers over the past year reflects a deep internal crisis within the military, driven by the ongoing war on Gaza and its psychological and social consequences on troops.

He added that official Israeli data shows a sharp increase of 200–300% in suicide rates compared to previous years, noting that what is revealed in the media represents only a small part of the reality.