The Israeli Occupation Ministry of Defense has disclosed that its rehabilitation department is currently treating approximately 82,400 soldiers and veterans wounded during military service. This figure includes more than 22,000 injuries sustained since the beginning of the military offensive on Gaza, which commenced on October 7, 2023.
According to data reported by The Jerusalem Post, nearly 31,000 of those receiving care are being treated for psychological conditions, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being the primary diagnosis. The ministry’s statistics indicate that 58% of the new injury claims are related to mental health, with roughly 1,500 new requests for recognition of psychological service injuries being filed each month.
The enemy ministry projects that the number of wounded requiring treatment will rise to 100,000 by the year 2028. It is estimated that roughly half of this total will be suffering from chronic psychological disorders.
The released data further specifies that 26% of the current caseload stems from the Gaza offensive. Among these casualties are 132 individuals now confined to wheelchairs, 64 who have been declared 100% disabled, 88 amputees, and five who have lost their sight.
In response to the rapidly growing number of wounded, the Ministries of Defense and Finance have established a special committee to explore the expansion of support and treatment programs. The Ministry of Defense has announced its intention to increase the rehabilitation department’s budget by 53%, raising it to 8.3 billion shekels (approximately $2.57 billion). Nearly half of this budget is earmarked for treating psychological trauma.
Demographic breakdowns show that 68% of the wounded are over the age of 40. The city of Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut recorded the highest injury rate relative to its population, followed by Herzliya and Ramat Gan. The oldest individual receiving treatment is a 98-year-old veteran of the pre-state Haganah forces.
Source: Agencies and AL-Manar English Website