Post-Traumatic Stress Soars Among Israeli War Veterans, Experts Warn of Long-Term Impact

The number of Israeli war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has surged to 38,000 since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, up from 11,000 before the war. The Defense Ministry projects this figure could reach 50,000 by 2028. These statistics represent deeply personal stories of pain and resilience among soldiers struggling daily with trauma.

Shlomi Grodzinski, a former soldier and university student, describes his battle with PTSD, including moments when he nearly took his own life. Despite appearing physically healthy, his mental state remains shattered, with basic tasks like showering or brushing teeth becoming overwhelming. Similarly, Shira Krotman, a 24-year-old paramedic who served over 250 reserve days in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, shares how she lives with constant nightmares and a dual reality of normal life and traumatic flashbacks.

The Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department, despite reforms, is overwhelmed, with one social worker for every 850 patients and insufficient funding. A special government committee recommended an annual budget increase of 2 billion shekels, but funding remains uncertain amid disputes between the Finance and Defense Ministries.

Experts emphasize the unprecedented length and intensity of this conflict, now over 1,000 days, causing neurological damage and widespread trauma not only among combatants but also their communities. Dr. Yifat Reuveni of the NATAL Association stresses that the entire Israeli society requires rehabilitation, not just the 50,000 diagnosed veterans.

Medical professionals warn that many young veterans may remain unable to function in work, relationships, or education for decades. Professor Eyal Prochter calls for urgent national prioritization of mental health, warning that ignoring the crisis risks creating a generation deeply impaired by trauma. The experts urge Israeli leadership to consider ending the conflict to prevent further psychological devastation, even if all security goals are not fully achieved.