Occupied Quds – SABA:
Hebrew-language media reported on Friday that 18 Israeli soldiers have died by suicide since the beginning of 2025, including 3 in July alone. This marks a significant increase compared to 9 cases in the first half of 2024.
According to the Israeli Army Radio, “the data indicate a sharp rise in suicide rates within the army this year compared to previous years,” citing sources familiar with the figures, though not officially released by the military itself.
The report added: “15 soldiers committed suicide in the first half of 2025, with 3 more in July so far—totaling 18 cases since the year began.” For comparison, only 9 soldiers took their lives during the same period in 2024.
In the first half of 2023—prior to the start of the genocidal war on Gaza—11 soldiers committed suicide.
“These figures clearly show a noticeable increase this year, both compared to the war year of 2024 and the preceding year,” the radio noted.
Internal army discussions held in recent days suggest the number may continue to rise in 2026 unless serious steps are taken to address the issue.
The Israeli Army Radio did not provide reasons behind the surge in suicides, nor details about the circumstances surrounding them.
On Thursday, Israeli army spokesperson Efi Dovrin refused to release official suicide data, stating: “We cannot make everything public—and that’s normal.”
In the past two weeks, multiple Hebrew-language outlets—including Maariv, Channel 12, and Walla—reported four suicide attempts among soldiers, three of which were successful.
Throughout the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli media has frequently highlighted mounting psychological distress and pressure among soldiers due to the protracted conflict and mental exhaustion.
With U.S. and European support, the Israeli army has continued its genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023. As of Thursday, the death toll has reached 58,667 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, with 139,974 others injured—figures that are still incomplete as thousands remain buried under rubble or inaccessible to rescue teams.
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