Israel Marks Three Years of War With Heavy Human and Economic Toll

Three years have passed since the Hamas terror attack on Simchat Torah 5784 and the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" war. Israel has been fighting on multiple fronts, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens and the call-up of hundreds of thousands for reserve duty. The war has resulted in a significant loss of life and severe physical and mental injuries, alongside a substantial economic cost expected to impact the country for years to come.

Since October 7, 2023, 2,347 Israelis have been killed, including 1,029 civilians and 1,318 security personnel. Among the security forces' casualties are 1,153 IDF soldiers, 116 police officers, and 43 security coordinators and members of emergency response teams. Additionally, over 11,000 family members have joined the bereaved community, with more than 7,150 being first-degree relatives of fallen security personnel. The National Insurance Institute reports that 87,286 victims of hostile acts have been added to its caseload since the war began, most injured in the October 7th attack and others during the war and operations in Iran.

Initially, 251 individuals were abducted to Gaza. Including those already held captive, the total number of hostages rose to 255. Of these, 168 were returned alive and 87 were returned as deceased. Currently, no Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. The article notes that 41 hostages reportedly died in captivity, though this figure lacks official confirmation.

According to the Ministry of Health, 39,535 individuals were injured and treated during the war, including 2,477 minors. Of these, 1,271 sustained severe to critical injuries, and 1,892 suffered from anxiety or mental distress. Approximately 40,000 individuals have been recognized as disabled due to the war, with a significant portion experiencing psychological trauma. Over 70% of injured soldiers have returned to service. The Ministry of Defense reports that 47% of those treated in its rehabilitation department are under 30, 8% are women, and 62% are reservists. Among the approximately 30,000 individuals in rehabilitation, 37% have physical injuries and 63% have psychological responses. Severe injuries include 63 individuals with 100%+ disability, 249 with complex head injuries, 29 with permanent blindness or vision impairment, and 106 who lost limbs.

The IDF reports having attacked 97,580 targets across various fronts, including approximately 65,000 in Gaza, 28,000 in Lebanon and Syria, and 4,500 in Iran. In the West Bank, around 45,000 individuals were arrested or detained, over 3,800 weapons were seized, and more than 46 million shekels designated for terror activities were confiscated. Security forces have eliminated an estimated 4,000 of the 6,000 terrorists involved in the October 7th attack, with the pursuit of the remaining 2,000 ongoing. Tens of thousands of rockets, missiles, and drones were launched at Israel.

The war led to the evacuation of approximately 210,000 residents from northern and southern Israel in the first three months. While official figures suggest 95% of evacuated northerners have returned, a local movement estimates the actual return rate at around 70%. In the south, over 90% of residents have returned to their homes. The extensive reserve duty mobilization is another significant aspect, with approximately 318,000 Israelis serving in reserves during the first nine months alone. Many reservists have served for extended periods, leading to significant wage loss and impacting their spouses' employment and businesses.

The economic cost of the war is estimated at least 385 billion shekels. This figure includes direct defense expenditures and civilian costs such as compensation payments. Approximately half of these costs were financed through debt, increasing the state's future liabilities. The prolonged reserve duty is also projected to cause long-term damage to students' studies and delay the entry of skilled workers into the labor market, potentially disrupting Israel's human capital development.