Israeli Defense Ministry Reports 30,000 Soldiers Wounded Since Oct. 7

The Israeli Ministry of Defense's wounded soldier rehabilitation department announced on Tuesday that it has received approximately 30,000 wounded Israeli security personnel since October 7, 2023. In a statement released on the third anniversary of the Gaza war, the department also stated that the total number of security personnel under its care has risen to 91,200, encompassing all of Israel's wars. According to the department's data, 47% of those wounded are under 30 years old, 62% are reservists, and 8% are women. The department has recognized about 18,900 individuals, representing 63% of those injured in the recent conflict, as experiencing psychological problems and crises. Additionally, 106 personnel have had limbs amputated, 249 have sustained complex head injuries, 29 have suffered blindness or permanent vision impairment, and 63 have been recognized as 100% disabled.

The rehabilitation department anticipates that the number of security personnel under its care will reach 100,000 by 2028, with half of them expected to face psychological issues and post-traumatic stress. Currently, 42,500 individuals, or 46% of the total, are dealing with such challenges.

In accordance with a government decision, the Ministry of Defense has transformed the rehabilitation department into the "National Authority for Rehabilitation and Care for IDF and Security Forces Casualties." This change includes assigning a personal liaison to each casualty and streamlining disability recognition procedures. The rehabilitation department's budget has increased by 88% over the past three years, reaching 10 billion shekels. Over 60% of this budget is allocated to psychological and post-traumatic treatments, and the number of psychologists has been expanded to approximately 2,300.