Israeli Reservist Satav Silvi Swissa Faces Trauma After Recovering Bodies Post-October 7 Attacks

On the morning of October 7, Satav Silvi Swissa left her mother's home in Hadera and headed to the Home Front Command base in Ramla. A reservist in the National Support Battalion and a truck driver, she believed she was going to assist civilians. However, within hours, she found herself tasked with recovering and evacuating bodies from massacre sites near the Gaza border, a mission for which she felt unprepared. "At first, I was God's deputy," she recalls, describing the strong sense of duty that sustained her through the most harrowing scenes.

After returning home, Satav discovered that the war's impact followed her. In a new episode of the podcast "To the Edge," she shares her experiences before October 7, the months spent collecting and identifying bodies, and her ongoing struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. She emphasizes that despite appearing cheerful and smiling, there are unseen moments of pain. "I don't have a home that feels like home," she admits, highlighting the difficulty of reintegration.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, approximately 26,200 wounded from Operation Iron Swords have sought rehabilitation, with about 65% experiencing mental distress or post-traumatic symptoms. The ministry urges those suffering from anxiety or trauma to seek help through designated support services, including the Combat Stress Unit, Natala hotline, ERAN, and the Lumbulance.

This account underscores the psychological toll on soldiers involved in recovery operations and the broader need for mental health support within the military community.