IOF recalling PTSD-affected troops amid suicide, recruitment crisis

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
18 May 2025 10:56
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A Haaretz report reveals the Israeli military is recalling PTSD-affected soldiers and struggling with high suicide rates amid a growing manpower shortage and low reservist compliance.

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Israeli soldiers work on tanks and APCs at a staging area near the border with the Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)

The Israeli occupation military is grappling with a growing manpower shortage, prompting it to recall soldiers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to participate in ongoing military operations, according to a report published by Haaretz.

The Israeli newspaper cited internal military concerns over personnel deficits and the increasing difficulty in maintaining active troop levels, especially amid prolonged operations since October 7, 2023.

PTSD-affected soldiers recalled for service

As reported by Haaretz, the Israeli military has begun enlisting reservists suffering from trauma and other psychological conditions, even if they are currently undergoing treatment.

One commander told the newspaper, “Because our soldiers are not committed to fighting, we are forced to recruit individuals who are not in a stable mental state,” adding, “We fight with what we have, even if we are certain their psychological conditions are unstable.”

Rising suicide rates raise alarm in military ranks

According to Haaretz, two recently recalled soldiers committed suicide, further intensifying scrutiny of the military’s handling of mental health issues.

The total number of Israeli soldier suicides since October 7, 2023, has reportedly reached at least 35 by the end of 2024.

Informed sources noted that the military has buried several soldiers who died by suicide without holding military funerals or issuing official statements.

Furthermore, the Israeli Ministry of Security has classified approximately 9,000 soldiers as psychologically disabled since the start of the war, reflecting the severe toll on the mental well-being of troops.

Military sources told Haaretz that the Israeli military refuses to publish the actual number of suicides recorded this year, indicating efforts to obscure the extent of the issue.

Israeli military avoids calling up unwilling reservists: Haaretz

A couple of weeks ago, Haaretz reported, citing military sources, that the Israeli occupation military has refrained from issuing call-up orders to reservists who have declared their refusal to participate in combat, out of concern that they would not comply with military instructions.

The newspaper quoted Israeli military officers as saying that the rate of compliance with military service among reservists is low, highlighting that the officially announced figure of 80% does not reflect the actual situation.

Compliance rates inflated, say Israeli officers

One officer told Haaretz that the military has recently resorted to pressuring soldiers to engage in combat but is facing difficulties in mobilizing them for service.

The report also revealed manipulation in the published compliance rates, with both officers and soldiers confirming that the official figures do not accurately represent the true level of participation among reservists.

Israeli military faces fourfold troop shortage in Gaza

Security sources stressed to the newspaper that the Israeli military needs to increase its troop numbers fourfold in order to control key points in the Gaza Strip, amid mounting security challenges.