International
100,000 Reservists Stay Away as Gaza Conflict Batters Israeli Troop Morale
TEL AVIV, Aug — The ongoing war in Gaza is taking a severe toll on the mental health of Israeli soldiers, with suicide rates climbing sharply, experts say. They cite prolonged psychological stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and “moral injury” from involvement in or witnessing violence against civilians as key drivers of the crisis.
Between 2023 and mid-2025, around 50 soldiers died by suicide — up from 11 in 2021 and 14 in 2022. Military data shows that from October to December 2023 alone, 28 soldiers took their own lives.
Recent cases include reservist Ariel Meir Taman on July 27 and PTSD-diagnosed Daniel Edri on July 5. Two other soldiers died in what authorities call “suspected suicides” in July, and paratrooper corporal Dan Philipson died after a suicide attempt on July 15.
The crisis is compounded by falling troop return rates: state figures say 80% of reservists have returned to duty, but broadcaster KAN reports the rate is closer to 60%, leaving an estimated 100,000 who have not come back. In April, about 1,000 Air Force personnel urged an end to the war, while over 100 senior officers signed a letter in May branding the campaign a “war crime” and warning of its psychological toll.
Since the war began, nearly 16,000 soldiers have received mental health care and 3,770 have been formally diagnosed with PTSD. Experts warn that moral injury and trauma could trigger an even deeper mental health crisis among the next generation of troops.
According to Palestinian sources, Israel’s Gaza offensive has killed about 60,000 people, including more than 17,000 children, with many survivors severely wounded or maimed — violence that researchers say is central to the breakdown among soldiers.
Mohan Bhagwat, chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has said that Islam has been an integral part of Indian society and will continue to remain so. He made the remarks on Thursday (28 August) at an event in New Delhi marking RSS’s centenary celebrations.
Bhagwat stated that those who believe Islam should not exist in India do not understand Hindu philosophy. He emphasized that mutual trust and unity are essential to resolve social conflicts.
Addressing migration issues, he said the government is working to curb illegal infiltration, but stressed that employment opportunities should first go to Indian citizens, including Muslims, rather than outsiders. He also urged respect for religious sensitivities during festivals.
On population, Bhagwat said every family should have no more than three children to maintain balance in the country. He added that this guideline should be accepted by all.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has claimed that Ukrainian warship Simferopol was sunk in a drone strike on Thursday (28 August) in the Danube Delta, partly located in Ukraine’s Odesa region.
The ministry said the medium-sized Laguna-class vessel was designed for radio, electronic, radar, and optical surveillance, and was the largest ship commissioned by Ukraine in over a decade.
According to Russian media, this marks the first successful use of Russian naval drones to destroy a Ukrainian warship.
Ukraine’s Navy confirmed the attack, reporting at least one crew member killed and several injured. The Simferopol was launched in 2019 and joined Ukraine’s naval fleet in 2021.
At least 21 Palestinians, including five journalists, were killed in an Israeli “double-tap” strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday.
Doctors reported that the first strike hit the hospital building, followed by a second attack minutes later as journalists and rescuers rushed to the scene. The journalists killed were Al Jazeera’s Mohammad Salama, Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, AP freelancer Mariam Abu Dakka, along with Ahmed Abu Aziz and Moaz Abu Taha.
Al Jazeera condemned the attack as an attempt to “silence the truth,” while UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese said such killings are happening “every moment in Gaza, often unseen and unpunished.”
Since October 7, 2023, at least 273 journalists have been killed in Gaza. On the same day, another journalist, Hassan Douhan of Al-Hayat al-Jadida, was killed in Khan Younis. Earlier, Al Jazeera’s prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif was also targeted and killed.
France, Germany and the UK have called for an investigation, but Israel described the incident as a “tragic accident.”
Meanwhile, ongoing bombardments and famine killed at least 61 more people across Gaza on Monday. The UN has warned of worsening child malnutrition, while Oxfam described the crisis as “unprecedented in scale and severity.”
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