'War has consequences': IDF admits increased soldier suicide rate connected to war
The IDF admitted that the increased suicide rate among soldiers and reservists is connected to Israel's ongoing multi-front war, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Sunday.
Most of the recent suicides among soldiers stem from traumatic experiences they were exposed to, the loss of comrades, and an inability to cope with the trauma, an internal investigation by the military found and was published by KAN.
The military has not denied the report at press time.
Most of the recent suicides among IDF soldiers were linked to combat-related circumstances and the psychological toll of extended stays in war zones.
The IDF investigated each suicide case, including reviewing farewell letters left behind and speaking with families and friends of soldiers.
"Most of the suicides among soldiers resulted from the complex realities of war. War has consequences," a senior military official told KAN.
"These are extremely difficult challenges, and there are quite a few cases. We're implementing systemic lessons, providing more tools to commanders, with an emphasis on training and identifying signs of distress. Mental health officers are in the field. We've increased the number of mental health officers (KABANs) for active-duty soldiers by 200, and for reservists by 600."
Each soldier suicide case reviewed thoroughly
"Each suicide is reviewed by a colonel-level officer and studied thoroughly. Work is also being done around preparation and follow-up before and after combat. In parallel, regardless of these efforts, the military police conduct an investigation into every suicide case," the official told KAN.
Since the beginning of 2025, 16 soldiers have died by suicide, seven of them reservists.
Just in July, four reservists took their own lives, two during reserve duty and two after completing several days in reserves.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
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