Israel Releases Grim Casualty Figures Three Years After Surprise Attack

New figures released by Israel's Ministry of Defense and the National Insurance Institute reveal the profound human toll of the conflict that began with a surprise attack three years ago on the holiday of Simchat Torah. As of Sunday, 1,318 members of Israel's security forces have fallen in combat since the start of the "Swords of Iron" war, also referred to as the "War of Return." These casualties include 1,153 from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 43 of whom were members of emergency response teams, 116 from the Israel Police, 11 from the Israel Prison Service, 9 from the General Security Service (Shin Bet), and 5 from the Fire and Rescue services. Additionally, 24 disabled veterans who succumbed to injuries sustained during the war are counted among the fallen. The conflict has expanded the circle of bereaved families by over 7,150 individuals, including 880 orphans and more than 3,700 siblings who have lost a family member. In parallel, the National Insurance Institute reported that 1,029 civilians were murdered in terror attacks since the war's outset, comprising 668 men and 361 women. Of these civilian victims, 88 were foreign nationals. The civilian bereavement has also grown significantly, with 1,216 children orphaned (618 boys and 598 girls), including 345 children under the age of 18. Furthermore, 300 individuals have been widowed, consisting of 231 widows and 69 widowers.