Suicide still leading cause in IOF fatalities
Israeli occupation forces have newly released statistics revealing an increase in soldiers' deaths, with suicide being the top cause, especially among Ethiopian soldiers.
The Israeli occupation forces newly released statistics witnessed an increase in the number of soldier deaths, reported Tuesday 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.
A significant fact is that three out of the 11 soldiers that committed suicide belong to the Ethiopian community.
One of the two other soldiers who are believed to have committed suicide is also Ethiopian.
According to the Times of 'Israel', several studies have shown higher suicide rates among Ethiopians in occupied Palestinian territories than other Israeli settlers.
It is noteworthy that a 2020 Israeli occupation Health Ministry report found that Ethiopian settlers were 4.1 times more likely to commit suicide than other Israeli settlers born in occupied Palestinian territories, which raises a question about racism that is rooted in the Israeli society.