Why Are Israeli Soldiers Committing Suicide?

A total of 16 soldiers committed suicide since the beginning of 2025. The latest figure were unveiled by the Israeli official Kan Channel. The suicides among the Israeli soldiers serving in Gaza are part of a growing trend related to a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder among regular and reserve soldiers.

In terms of army distribution, eight regular soldiers, seven from the reserves and one conscript decided to take away their lives because of the pressure of fighting. This is while 21 soldiers committed suicide in 2024, compared to 17 cases in 2023.

The Kan Channel stated these figures are highlighted within the context of the ongoing war since 7 October, 2023. Although official Israel sources are “messaging” the figures they have acknowledged that about 3,770 soldiers are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders while more than half of the more 19,000 who were wounded over the past two years are receiving psychological treatment as per the Rehabilitation Department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

However the Israeli army are attempting to downplay the significance of the suicide figures. It stated that “it is impossible to assert a general increase in the suicide rate.” But Kan emphasizes the statistics confirms a significant increase in suicides among reserve soldiers taking part in combat operations.

Kan added that the increasing suicide rates are becoming a phenomenon and needs to be combated by the Israeli army organizing psychological support workshops and referring returning soldiers to psychological specialists. Experts warn that the existing support programs are not sufficient.

In this context, the channel reported the military censorship authorized, Monday, the publishing of the name of Ariel Tamin, the soldiers who served in the Investigation and Forensic Examination Unit and committed suicide. His body was found inside his home in the town of Ofakim after he took away his life two days earlier.

The channel also noted similar suicide cases have been recorded in recent weeks, including that of Daniel Adry, a reserve soldier who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was later recognized by the occupation army as a “casualty victim” as reported by Jo24.