The number of disabled Israeli soldiers has surpassed 70,000 for the first time, according to an Israeli television report on Tuesday. This includes 8,663 soldiers injured since the start of the latest conflict in Gaza on October 7th.
Channel 7 reported that the Defense Ministry’s rehabilitation departments are now treating over 70,000 disabled veterans, with 8,663 joining the ranks since the start of the current war. The remaining individuals were injured in past wars and operations.
The report revealed that 35% of those wounded since October 7th are being treated for mental health conditions, while 21% sustained physical injuries. The Defense Ministry’s rehabilitation department is bracing for the addition of around 20,000 more injured soldiers between the start of the current conflict and the end of 2024.
Data from the Israeli Medical Association indicates that over 1,000 new male and female veterans are admitted to the department each month for treatment. The vast majority of these wounded soldiers, 95%, are male, with approximately 70% being reserve soldiers. Half of these individuals are between the ages of 18 and 30.
Experts predict that by the end of the year, roughly 40% of the new soldiers admitted for treatment may experience various mental health reactions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulties with adaptation and communication.
