18,500 "Israel" soldiers injured since Oct. 7, many suffering PTSD, says "Israeli" army

New data from the "Israeli" Defense Ministry shows that 18,500 soldiers have been injured since the October 7 events, with thousands diagnosed with psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a report published Sunday by "Israeli" news outlet Ynet.

According to the report, 3,769 soldiers have already been officially recognized as PTSD patients. Defense Ministry officials warned that the psychological toll will only worsen once the war ends. “Once the war is over, this will hit us as a national challenge,” a senior ministry source said.

PTSD numbers surge to historic highs

By 2028, the ministry’s Rehabilitation Department expects to be caring for around 100,000 injured and disabled veterans, with at least half projected to be diagnosed with mental health issues.

Currently, over 10,000 soldiers are undergoing mental health treatment for trauma related to their participation in the genocide in Gaza, while another 9,000 are in the process of being recognized for PTSD.

The figures mark a sharp rise compared to previous wars. After the 2014 war on Gaza, only 159 soldiers were recognized with PTSD. In contrast, 1,430 were recognized in 2023, and the number soared in 2024 to 2,210, the highest annual figure ever recorded.

Young, injured soldiers strain mental health system

Nearly half of the 18,500 injured soldiers are under the age of 30, many of them reservists. The massive influx has overwhelmed mental health services.

“We have one social worker for every 750 disabled veterans,” an official admitted, adding that this ratio makes individualized care nearly impossible. The country is also dealing with a broader shortage of psychiatrists.

Impact on workforce and economy

The report highlights the economic fallout as well. The Defense Ministry estimates that over 12,000 soldiers, including both active-duty and reservists, have dropped out of military combat roles and also left the workforce or abandoned their careers altogether.

“Every month we receive calls from former soldiers for whom the battles in Gaza, as well as the casualties and fatalities, trigger intense psychological distress related to past experiences during their service,” the ministry said.