Following the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, 40-year-old father of four, Eliran Mizrahi, was deployed to Gaza as part of the Israeli military response. Upon his return, his family noticed a significant change in his demeanor, indicating signs of trauma from the war against Hamas in the strip.
Reports indicate that six months after his initial deployment, Mizrahi was grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) back at home. Tragically, before his scheduled redeployment, he took his own life, leaving his loved ones devastated.
Mizrahi's mother, Jenny Mizrahi, expressed that her son never fully recovered from the harrowing experiences he faced in Gaza. She attributed his untimely death to the lingering effects of post-trauma.
The Israeli military has acknowledged the mental health challenges faced by soldiers who have been exposed to traumatic events during the conflict. While the exact number of suicides among affected soldiers remains undisclosed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), efforts are being made to provide care and support to those suffering from PTSD and related mental illnesses.
One year after the commencement of the war in Gaza, the toll on human lives continues to rise, with the health ministry in the strip reporting over 42,000 fatalities. Shockingly, the United Nations highlights that a significant portion of the casualties are women and children, underscoring the devastating impact of the conflict.
Notably, the ongoing conflict, which was triggered by Hamas' actions resulting in numerous deaths and hostages, has become Israel's lengthiest military engagement since its establishment. As tensions escalate with the conflict expanding to Lebanon, many soldiers express apprehension about the prospect of being drafted into yet another conflict, further exacerbating concerns about the toll on mental health and well-being.
