Israel is experiencing a dramatic increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide among soldiers, following the two-year offensive in Gaza that began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, according to reports from the Defense Ministry and health providers.
According to official data, cases of PTSD have increased by about 40% since September 2023, while authorities predict an increase of up to 180% by 2028. Of the 22,300 soldiers and personnel treated for war wounds, 60% suffer from psychological trauma.
The war quickly spread to the northern front with Hezbollah in Lebanon, involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers and reservists in some of the fiercest fighting in the country's history. Israeli authorities say more than 1,100 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 7, while Palestinian and Lebanese sources report tens of thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Israeli studies show that soldiers' trauma stems from constant fear for their lives and from what psychologists call "moral damage" - the psychological burden of decisions made in wartime conditions, when civilians, including women and children, are accidentally killed or injured.
A parliamentary commission found that 279 soldiers attempted suicide between January 2024 and July 2025, with 78% of cases involving combat troops. Experts warn that the risk increases significantly when trauma remains untreated.
The Ministry of Defense says it has expanded its mental health budget and services, while NGOs and health centers have provided alternative therapies to hundreds of soldiers. However, mental health professionals warn that the system is overwhelmed, procedures for officially recognizing trauma are lengthy, and many soldiers are hesitant to seek help.
Meanwhile, with Israeli troops still deployed in Gaza and parts of southern Lebanon, as well as rising tensions in the region, the risk of a new escalation remains high, further deepening the mental health crisis in the military's ranks.
