Five Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide Amid Ongoing War Efforts
At least five Israeli soldiers have taken their lives in the past two weeks, amid the ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip and six other fronts. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has linked the spike in suicides to the psychological toll of combat, with officials noting an increase in cases involving active-duty reservists and recently discharged personnel.
The most recent case involved a 19-year-old Norwegian immigrant who joined the IDF less than a year ago and was still in training. Four other soldiers, including a Golani Brigade member and reservist Daniel Edri, have also taken their lives in the past two weeks. The IDF has confirmed that thousands of reservists have withdrawn from combat roles due to psychological stress, with some deaths not included in official statistics. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the situation as tragic, stating that the war ‘also kills souls.’
The conflict, now in its 21st month, has placed immense strain on Israeli forces, with over 893 soldiers killed since the start of the operation. Beyond Gaza, Israel is also engaged in military actions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the West Bank, as stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The IDF has attributed the surge in suicides to combat-related trauma rather than personal or family circumstances. The true number of suicides due to service-related mental health issues may be higher, with Haaretz reporting at least 12 non-combat veterans whose deaths were not included in the army’s official statistics in recent years.