Thousands of soldiers stepped down from combat roles due to mental distress: Report

Thousands of Israeli soldiers have ceased serving in combat roles due to mental distress since 7 October 2023, the Israeli army reported on Thursday.

The army also revealed a rise in suicides among soldiers, from 17 in 2023 to 21 in 2024 – the highest annual total since 2011. Of the 21 soldiers who took their own lives in 2024, 12 were reservists, seven were on compulsory duty, and two were career soldiers.

According to the data, suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the Israeli army, following operational duty and surpassing illnesses and accidents.