The biggest crisis facing Israel today
Israel is in real trouble, but, like with every other crisis it has faced, it will figure out how to best deal with this one, too.
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Israel knows how to wage war and defend her borders if she needs to.
Besides for a shocking disastrous debacle of October 7th, we Israelis know that we are in good hands when it comes to the IDF, regardless of the internal politics (of which there is a lot). So, whether Qatar decides to come for us, or Turkey gets involved or Egypt ends its 'cold peace', our IDF warriors are brave and strong, and there are lots of them fighting the good fight.
What Israel doesn't entirely know what to do about is the massive amount of young soldiers (mostly male) facing severe PTSD. This includes symptoms like reliving traumatic events, nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety, depression and being unable to function in society. Considering what these soldiers have seen in combat, it makes sense that so many of them have reacted this way. Tragically, some have even taken their lives as a result.
As the second anniversary of Operation "Iron Swords" approaches, the Rehabilitation Division has released data detailing the number of wounded soldiers it has treated since October 7, 2023.
The figures show over 20,000 war casualties, men and women, under the division’s care. Half of them are aged 30 or younger, 92% are male, and 64% are reservists. Of these, 45% have physical injuries, 35% are dealing with psychological issues, and 20% suffer from a combination of physical and mental injuries. The division estimates that by 2028, it will be treating 100,000 wounded individuals, including 50,000 with mental health conditions.
Additionally, 9% of the wounded have moderate to severe injuries, and 56 are classified with a 100+ disability rating, the most severe category. Twenty-four have a 100% disability rating, 168 are coping with complex head injuries and receive close medical support (CM), 16 are wheelchair-bound due to paralysis, and 99 are amputees fitted with advanced prosthetics, including those adapted for sports, extreme activities, and leisure.
Over Half of the Wounded Face Mental Health Challenges
Approximately 10,700 wounded, 55% of the total, have developed psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, post-traumatic stress, and more. Around 60% of these individuals receive various emotional support services from the division, including therapy at nature-based rehabilitation farms, individual counseling, support groups, surfing therapy, sailing, EMDR, neurofeedback, and other treatments.
Each month, the division takes in an average of 1,000 new wounded from the ongoing war, plus about 600 new claims for recognition related to past events and previous wars. The Rehabilitation Division emphasized its commitment to working closely with the IDF and the Disabled Veterans Organization, following a “Rehabilitation Before Bureaucracy” policy. This approach prioritizes rapid intake of the wounded and immediate provision of medical, psychological, and financial support.