Israel says 20,000 soldiers receiving rehabilitation after Gaza war

The Israeli ministry of military affairs says about 20,000 of its soldiers are undergoing rehabilitation treatment as a result of injuries sustained in the Gaza war.

The ministry’s rehabilitation center said on Sunday the number of wounded troops under care continues to rise and projected that by 2028 the tally of disabled soldiers could reach 100,000.

Haaretz, citing the ministry, reported that around 55% of those injured in the war are suffering from psychological disorders.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported last month that more than 10,000 soldiers have shown symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with 3,769 cases formally diagnosed so far. The paper said ministry officials expect the figure to surpass 100,000 within two years, with at least half struggling with mental health conditions.

According to ministry data, in 2024 the army identified 1,600 cases of mental health disorders among its ranks, including 693 active-duty soldiers, 144 permanent staff, 184 reservists, and about 500 discharged troops.

The figures mark a sharp increase compared with previous wars. During the 2014 war, only 159 such cases were recorded. Officials noted that half of the newly identified patients are under the age of 30.