The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are witnessing a disturbing surge in suicides, with five soldiers taking their own lives in just two weeks. This includes a 19-year-old Norwegian immigrant and a Golani Brigade serviceman, both victims of psychological trauma tied to Israel’s prolonged war in Gaza and its broader military campaigns across seven active fronts. In 2024 alone, over 20 IDF suicides have been confirmed, primarily among active-duty reservists recently returned from intense combat.
Army officials blame post-traumatic stress and long deployments for the spike. Opposition leaders are calling it a silent crisis, with thousands of soldiers withdrawing from combat roles due to mental breakdowns. Meanwhile, official numbers may underreport the true toll, as additional non-combat veterans’ deaths remain uncounted. With Israel’s military stretched thin across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and the West Bank, the cost is not only strategic—but deeply human.
