Israel Releases Casualty Figures Three Years Into War

Three years after the outbreak of the "War of Return," Israel has released updated figures on casualties sustained since October 7, 2023. The Ministry of Defense and National Insurance Institute reported that 1,318 members of security forces have fallen. This number includes soldiers from the IDF, police officers, Shin Bet agents, prison service personnel, firefighters, local security officers, and members of emergency response teams who fought in Gaza, the south, the north, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria.

Since the war began, over 7,150 family members have joined the bereaved circle, including 880 orphans and over 3,700 bereaved siblings. Specifically, 1,153 IDF casualties were recorded, including 43 from emergency response teams. Additionally, 116 police officers, 9 Shin Bet agents, 5 firefighters, 11 prison service personnel, and 24 individuals who died due to war-related disabilities have been counted.

The National Insurance Institute also reported that 1,029 civilians were murdered in terror attacks since October 7. Among these victims, 668 were men and 361 were women, with 88 being foreign nationals. The data highlights the severe impact on children and youth, with 63 victims under the age of 18, including very young children.

Beyond the fatalities, 87,286 civilians have been recognized as victims of hostile acts. Of these, 34,878 are recognized for psychological trauma, 3,171 for physical injuries, and 2,355 for a combination of both. The initial attack on October 7 accounted for a significant portion of these casualties, with 778 civilians murdered on that day alone, including 70 foreign nationals.

Aryeh Moalem, Deputy Director and Head of the Families, Commemoration, and Heritage Administration at the Ministry of Defense, stated that the state has a moral obligation to those who sacrificed their lives and a deep, ongoing commitment to their families. He emphasized the administration's role in supporting bereaved families, viewing their work as a mission to stand by them, listen, embrace, and act on their behalf.