A significant increase in suicides in the Israeli army
The official Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that 21 cases of suspected suicide among soldiers – all males – were recorded last year, after 17 cases were recorded in 2023, most of them after the outbreak of war.
The highest since the 1973 war
She stated that the army published official data this morning on the toll of its casualties since the outbreak of the war, and these data show that 891 officers and soldiers have fallen since October 7, 329 of whom fell during the battles that took place on the same day, which is the highest number since the “Yom Kippur War.” In reference to the October 6, 1973 war with Egypt.
Suspected suicide
According to data from the occupation army, 28 soldiers were killed in incidents known as suspected suicide, including 21 during the year 2024, and this number represented an increase from 2023 when 17 soldiers were killed, including 7 after the outbreak of war.
Deaths of the war in Gaza
The occupation army referred to the deaths in its ranks since the beginning of the war, and said: “891 Israeli soldiers were killed in regular, permanent and reserve service, and about 5,569 soldiers were injured.”
He added: “In 2023, 558 Israeli soldiers were killed in regular, permanent and reserve service, compared to 44 killed in 2022.”
He pointed out that “among the soldiers killed in 2023, 329 soldiers were killed on October 7, the day the Hamas movement launched a surprise attack on Israeli military bases and settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip.”
Death due to diseases
The occupation army added: “10 soldiers died due to diseases, and 3 in attacks carried out by the enemy,” without giving details. He said that the killing of 17 soldiers in suspected suicide incidents, including 7 soldiers after October 7, 2023, is being investigated.
He stated that, “In 2024, 363 regular, permanent, and reserve service soldiers were killed, compared to 558 in 2023.” He added that 295 of them were killed during operations and 23 in various accidents, including: 17 in civil road accidents, 3 in military road accidents, and 3 In other incidents.”
The occupation army said, “In order to prevent suicides, a mental health helpline has been opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the number of mental health personnel has been increased.”
The Israeli army publishes updated data on the dead and injured on a daily basis, but it faces accusations of not disclosing the true numbers of its losses.
