The Defence Ministry reported that since the beginning of the Gaza conflict nine months ago, 9,250 IDF soldiers have been wounded. They anticipate this number will increase to 14,000 by the end of 2024.
Of those wounded, approximately 70% are reservists, with the remaining 30% comprising mandatory conscripts or career officers. Nearly half of the wounded soldiers are under the age of 30.
About 35% of these casualties report emotional distress, often diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In April, the ministry reported 7,209 wounded soldiers, with 2,111 suffering from emotional issues, which accounts for around 29% of all casualties and 60% of those with emotional distress. This indicates that emotional problems are a significant concern among the wounded.
Before the current conflict, the ministry recorded approximately 62,000 wounded soldiers from previous conflicts, of whom 18% (11,000) experienced emotional distress. Among these, 70% (8,000) cited emotional symptoms as their primary issue.
While PTSD is the predominant diagnosis among survivors with emotional challenges, the ministry acknowledges and provides support for various emotional disorders. Yet 21%, roughly 3600 soldiers are suffering from PTSD from the effects of the Gaza war.
Initial predictions estimated an additional 20,000 soldier injuries for the year, but recent adjustments suggest this figure may be overly pessimistic, potentially reduced by 6,000 due to decreased fighting since April or improved IDF measures in soldier protection.
