Two female ‘Israeli’ soldiers die by suicide, raising 2026 toll to 16: Hebrew media
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Two female soldiers in the ‘Israeli’ military died by suicide over the past two days, according to a report published by Haaretz.
The deaths have prompted the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division to open probes into the circumstances of both cases, as the number of serving soldiers who have died by suicide this year reaches 16 amid ongoing concerns about mental health.
One of the soldiers, a member of the Bardelas Battalion deployed along the Egypt-‘Israel’ border, died on Tuesday morning at a military base in southern ‘Israel’.
She was found injured at the base and taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The second soldier, who held a classified position in the Military Intelligence Directorate, died by suicide on Sunday at the Glilot military base near Ramat Hasharon in central ‘Israel’.
Haaretz said that investigations are underway in both incidents.
Data compiled by the newspaper show that the total of active-duty soldier suicides since the start of 2026 now stands at 16.
In addition, at least nine other soldiers—regular and reserve personnel who had taken part in the war—died by suicide after completing active service this year.
The latest deaths form part of a broader upward trend that began after the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
According to earlier Haaretz reporting and military figures cited in subsequent coverage, seven active-duty soldiers died by suicide between October 7 and the end of 2023.
The annual figure rose to 21 in 2024 and reached 22 in 2025—the highest number recorded by the ‘Israeli’ military in 15 years.
Previous Haaretz investigations have highlighted a deepening mental health crisis within the military, with soldiers, experts, and activists pointing to canceled decompression programs, reduced field mental-health support, and instances in which commanders missed warning signs.
‘Israeli’ Defense Ministry has also reported a sharp increase in post-traumatic stress disorder cases among personnel since the start of the war.
