Disabled Israeli soldiers to reach 20K if mental disorders included

By Al Mayadeen English
28 Dec 2023 15:29
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The chief of the occupation's Disabled Veterans Organization, Edan Kleiman, told Bloomberg the number of injuries would probably mount to around 20,000 if traumatized soldiers are counted.

Israeli soldier Jonathan Ben Hamou, 22, wounded in the war on Gaza, sits in his room at Sheba hospital's rehabilitation division, Monday, December 18, 2023. (AP)

A recent report by Bloomberg revealed that the rapidly increasing number of injuries among Israeli soldiers creates "invisible costs" for the war.

The chief of the Disabled Veterans Organization, Edan Kleiman, told Bloomberg the number of injuries would probably mount to around 20,000 if traumatized soldiers are counted. Kleiman also added that this marks the first time Israeli ranks witnessed such a high number of injuries that must be rehabilitated, as Israeli authorities do not recognize the severity of the matter or the situation.

Bloomberg also noted the increased number of injured soldiers who are also diagnosed with trauma disorders, adding extra medical costs for rehab and compensation that are not accounted for.

In this context, Israeli political scientist and professor of public military policy, Yagil Levy, remarked that “There could be a long-term impact if we see a big rate of people with disabilities that Israel must rehabilitate, which can produce economic issues as well as social issues.”

Bloomberg addressed how "wounded veterans would have to face a new reality, dealing with impairments, even after their survivor's guilt manifests," adding that the injuries sustained during the genocide in Gaza will serve as a reminder for the future.

The IOF announced numbers regarding the killed and injured Israeli soldiers in #Gaza.

Here's what you need to know!#Palestine #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/vuA6zPudWC
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 27, 2023

IOF: the aftermath

The Israeli occupation military confirmed on Thursday that three additional troops were killed and three others were injured in battles in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, bringing the toll of killed troops since the start of the Israeli ground invasion on October 27 to 167, in addition to more than 2,000 injuries.

The occupation military identified the killed troops as Sgt. First Class (res.) Asaf Pinhas Tubul, 22, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, Cpt. (res.) Neriya Zisk, 24, a company commander in the 401st Armored Brigade’s 52nd Battalion, and Maj. Dvir David Fima, 32, the deputy commander of the 460th Armored Brigade’s 198th Battalion.

According to the military, Tubul was killed in a battle in southern Gaza, while another officer and a soldier from the 77th Battalion were seriously wounded during the same battle.

The occupation military noted that Fima was killed in central Gaza, in a battle that seriously wounded a soldier of the 7107th Battalion, while Zisk was killed in a separate battle in the same region.

With the three confirmed killings, the total number of Israeli occupation troops killed since October 7 now stands at 501, as per the Israeli military.