Shell-shock symptoms from war on Gaza affect 1,600 Israeli soldiers
4 Min Read
This comes as Israeli occupation forces' suffering in Gaza on all axes of fighting mount.
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Israeli occupation forces arrive at "Sderot", close to the Gaza Strip, on October 11, 2023. (AP)
Close to 1,600 Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have acquired shell-shock symptoms since the occupation initiated its invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 27, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
Data collected by Walla! news claimed that 76% of those showing symptoms returned to operations after basic field care, and nearly 1,000 forces required additional rehabilitation and treatment in facilities.
According to Walla!, 250 Israeli troops were released from service because they were still suffering from shell shock after the battle.
The Israeli news outlet added that nearly 3,475 Israeli soldiers have required treatment at the occupation's military rehabilitation center since the war on Gaza began.
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 that the number of injuries would probably mount to around 20,000 if traumatized soldiers are counted. Kleiman 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.
The IOF announced numbers regarding the killed and injured Israeli soldiers in #Gaza.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 27, 2023
Here's what you need to know!#Palestine #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/vuA6zPudWC
This comes as Israeli media reported a surge in mental health disorders among Israeli settlers in the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, noting that Israeli reports of psychological breakdowns are on the rise.
On December 23, a poll conducted by Gallup showed that "the mental health of Israelis is worse than ever" in the wake of Al-Aqsa Flood.
In the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, ERAN, "Israel's Emotional first aid service", reported a spike in demand for psychological and PTSD treatment among Israelis, reaching 100,000 requests.
To make matters worse for Israelis, sector sources have reported that psychiatrists are leaving for Britain, leaving "Israel's" public health system on the verge of collapse.
Hundreds of psychiatrists have taken the license exam to practice medicine in the United Kingdom in recent months. Twelve of them have already stated their intention to depart.
However, a senior administrator in the mental health system in "Israel" expressed that their intentions were not based on a better salary but rather "frustration over the heavy workload" and a worsening situation that has occurred since the war on Gaza began.
1 psychiatrist for every 11,705 Israelis
According to a medical workforce survey provided by the Health Ministry a year ago, the number of psychiatrists per capita in "Israel" has declined by 19% over the last decade. The "National Institute for Health Services and Health Policy Research" reported that "Israel" has one psychiatrist for every 11,705 people.
According to Dr. Shmuel Hirschmann, president of the Mental Health Center Directors' Forum, the system is short 400 doctors, with numbers expected to double in 5 years due to many reaching retirement age.
In a letter for the state comptroller, the forum expressed last Thursday that the situation was "desperate", detailing how there are "not enough professionals to handle all those who seek help."
"Waiting times for treatment are extremely long, sometimes a year or more; the number of psychiatrists per capita has dropped sharply due to a mass exodus into the private sector; [there is] a severe shortage of inpatient staff and poor conditions at existing hospitals."
The Health Ministry is so desperate to recruit new psychiatrists that it has put forward a plan costing $560 million to increase mental health services and is providing incentive grants to those who will specialize in the field.
Another hurdle is the budget awaiting approval from the Israeli Ministry of Finance, which recently recommended the closing of 10 government ministries to cover the huge bill it has incurred as a result of its brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip.
