Golan Heights: An Israeli soldier took his own life at a military base in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights, marking the third suicide among active-duty soldiers within a span of 10 days, as confirmed by the Israeli army. The soldier served in the Nahal Brigade and had been involved in combat operations in Gaza, as reported by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
According to TRTworld.com, there has been a significant increase in suicides among military personnel since the onset of the war on Gaza in October 2023. Reports indicate that at least 15 soldiers have died by suicide since the beginning of the year, a trend attributed to the psychological toll of the ongoing conflict. In one instance in July, a reserve soldier committed suicide in a forest near Safed in northern Israel, reportedly due to combat-related psychological trauma.
Israel Hayom reported that 21 soldiers have died by suicide in 2024, while Haaretz noted that 42 soldiers have taken their own lives since the start of the Gaza offensive. This alarming rise in suicides underscores the severe impact of the war on the mental health of military personnel.
Since October 2023, Israel has been conducting military operations in Gaza, resulting in substantial Palestinian casualties. Palestinian sources have registered over 58,000 deaths, primarily women and children, with an additional 11,000 feared buried beneath destroyed homes, as reported by the official WAFA news agency. Experts suggest that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, potentially reaching around 200,000.
The United States continues to support its ally, Israel, with $3.8 billion in annual military funding. Since October 2023, over $22 billion has been spent by the U.S. in support of Israel's military actions in Gaza and conflicts in neighboring regions.
In response to the situation, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case brought forth by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.