Recent reports from Israeli television have revealed a concerning statistic – the number of disabled Israeli soldiers has now exceeded 70,000 for the first time. This includes over 8,600 soldiers who have been injured since the beginning of the latest conflict in Gaza in October.
According to Channel 7, the Defense Ministry’s rehabilitation departments are currently providing treatment for these disabled veterans, with 35% of the new injuries since October 7th related to mental health conditions and 21% to physical injuries. It is anticipated that an additional 20,000 soldiers may be added to this number by the end of 2024.
Data from the Israeli Medical Association further indicates that around 1,000 new veterans are admitted for treatment every month, with the majority being male reserve soldiers aged between 18 and 30. Experts are also warning that a significant portion of these new admissions may experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.