Report: Mental Health Disorder Cases Among Israeli Soldiers Hit Record High During Gaza War
According to a Haaretz newspaper report, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is seeing a spike in psychological disorder cases among its soldiers, described as the worst in the country's military history since the war in the Gaza Strip began in October 2023. The military is alleged to have hidden data on thousands of soldiers discharged due to severe mental stress, amid concerns it could undermine public morale.
Haaretz revealed that the IDF delayed and refused to release comprehensive data requested under the Freedom of Information Law, even after the deadline had passed. Military sources indicated a tendency to withhold information deemed unfavorable to the military's image, with one officer admitting that internal parties know how to manipulate figures to conceal unsatisfactory data.
Based on cited data from the Hatzlacha association, by July 2025, the military eventually released partial data covering the first year of the war, showing 7,241 officers and soldiers were discharged due to psychiatric disorders. Sources in the military mental health department believe the IDF intentionally avoided publishing full data to prevent an impact on Israeli public morale during the still-ongoing war.
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