20,000 Israeli Soldiers Wounded, Over Half Suffer Psychological Trauma
Israeli Defense Ministry data reveals record numbers of wounded troops, with tens of thousands suffering mental health issues
Occupied Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Data published by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on Sunday showed that the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Department has received more than 20,000 injured soldiers since the beginning of the war on Gaza, which has been ongoing for about two years, and that 56% of them, numbering 10,700, suffer from psychological disorders.
The Rehabilitation Department recorded a record number of injured soldiers, female soldiers, and security personnel, with the current number reaching 81,700. Among them, 31,000 (38%) suffer from psychological disorders.
The budget of the Rehabilitation Department has risen to 8.3 billion shekels, of which 4.1 billion shekels are allocated to those suffering from psychological disorders.
Demographics of the Wounded
Half of the Israeli occupation soldiers, about 10,000, who were injured during the Gaza war and referred to the Rehabilitation Department are under the age of 30.
Additionally, 92% of the soldiers in the department are men, 64% are reservists, 45% have physical injuries, 35% have psychological disorders, and 20% have both physical injuries and psychological disorders.
The Rehabilitation Department estimates that by 2028, it will be handling 100,000 injured soldiers, including 50,000 suffering from psychological disorders.
Details of Disabilities and Injuries
According to the data, 9% of the wounded were classified as moderately to severely injured. Fifty-six soldiers suffer from 100% disability with extremely severe injuries, 24 soldiers with 100% disability, 168 soldiers sustained head injuries and are under constant care of the Rehabilitation Department, 16 soldiers are paralyzed and use wheelchairs, and 99 soldiers had limbs amputated.
The Rehabilitation Department received an average of 1,000 injured soldiers per month during the Gaza war, in addition to 600 new requests for recognition of injuries sustained during previous wars. (PW)