A recent exposé has sparked widespread concern over the mental health and fitness of Israeli soldiers deployed in Gaza, amid an acute manpower shortage within the military.
According to a report published by the Israeli daily Haaretz, reserve soldiers suffering from severe psychological disorders were summoned for active duty—despite prior medical warnings deeming them unfit for military service.
The report revealed that the Rehabilitation Department at the Israeli Ministry of Defense is currently treating over 17,000 wounded soldiers, including 9,000 with mental health disorders directly related to the ongoing war of annihilation in Gaza. Critically, at least 35 active-duty soldiers have taken their own lives since the war began.
One such soldier, reportedly exhibiting severe psychological symptoms, died by suicide shortly after being called up. His death was not publicly reported, and his name was withheld—indicating what appears to be a deliberate effort to conceal the incident.
Faced with growing difficulties in enlisting sufficient numbers of troops, the Israeli army has begun reviewing the files of former reservists discharged for medical—particularly psychological—reasons, with the intent of reassessing their fitness for redeployment.
This move has triggered alarm among mental health experts and families of affected soldiers, who fear such decisions could lead to further psychological deterioration, potentially resulting in tragic consequences.
Experts warn that redeploying soldiers suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) without proper psychological support is dangerous—not only to the individual soldier but to their fellow servicemembers. They stress that this policy risks exacerbating the military’s already declining morale and could contribute to a rise in suicide rates among troops.
In response, the Israeli army has stated it is taking “all necessary precautions” to ensure the safety of its soldiers, including conducting psychological and medical evaluations before deployment.
However, recent incidents highlight major gaps in this system, prompting calls for a comprehensive review of military policy regarding the recruitment and management of soldiers with pre-existing mental health conditions.
The issue underscores the broader challenges facing the Israeli military, especially under strained human resources, and raises questions about how well the institution is equipped to handle the psychological toll of sustained warfare—particularly in the current climate of extreme and ongoing conflict.
