Record suicide rate among IOF soldiers, highest in 5 years: Report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
25 Dec 2022 20:51
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The number of IOF soldiers' suicides is 14 in 2022, so far.

The number of IOF soldiers' suicides reached 14 in 2022.

Israeli media reported on Sunday an increase in the suicide rate among the Israeli occupation forces since the beginning of 2022, as the number of suicides reached 14 soldiers this year.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper highlighted that the number is the largest compared to the past five years, as 11 soldiers committed suicide in 2011, 14 in 2012, and six in 2013.

The Israeli newspaper indicated that 89 Israeli occupation soldiers committed suicide between 2014 and 2020 with an average of 12 suicides per year, noting that the majority of suicides occurred during service in camps, training, or while returning home.

Yedioth Ahronoth cited senior military sources as saying that "experts could not provide an explanation for this year’s sudden uptick in the number of suicide cases," adding that "an overwhelming majority of suicides are men and most of them don’t leave a letter explaining their actions."

It pointed out that the IOF "has in recent years implemented a plan to prevent suicides among soldiers which includes a reduction of access to firearms and increased access to mental health professionals, as well as the provision of instruction tools to commanders."

According to the newspaper, the Israeli occupation forces are trying to curb "the rise in exemptions from military service issued on mental health grounds following a dramatic jump from 4.5% of all military service candidates to 8.5% between 2015-2020."

It is noteworthy that in late June, Kan reported that the head of the Labor Force Department in the IOF, Yaniv Ashour, held an emergency session with mental health officials to study the reasons that led to this alarming rise in suicide cases.

Suicide; always on the rise

Another report published at the beginning of this year revealed that the Israeli occupation forces newly released statistics witnessed an increase in the number of soldier deaths, as per the Times of "Israel".

The numbers showed that IOF fatalities increased to 31 in 2021, compared to 28 in 2020, with a rise in suicide cases.

At least 11 Israeli soldiers committed suicide in 2021, and another two, whose deaths were considered as accidents, are believed to have ended their lives, IOF official Yoram Knafo told reporters.