The IDF presented the recommendations of the Almoz Committee for examining the response to discharged soldiers and reservists not on active duty, who took their own lives due to their service. Head of the Manpower Directorate, Brigadier General Wadmani: “In light of the implications and exceptional circumstances, the committee recommended that regarding the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, a unique and tailored response should be implemented.” According to army data, in 2025, 22 cases of suicide were recorded, including 12 conscripts, one officer, and 9 reservists. Committee Chairman, MK Stern: “The fight against suicide is not a personal fight, it is a fight for all of us as a Society.”
The IDF was asked to present the committee’s conclusions for examining the response provided to discharged soldiers and reservists not on active duty, who took their own lives due to their service (Almoz Committee). Committee Chairman, MK Elazar Stern: “I am full of appreciation for the military personnel involved in saving lives, but to reach everyone who needs help, we must continue to invest more Budgets, professionals, and appropriate accessibility for those in need. The fight against suicide is not a personal fight, it is a fight for all of us as a society. We will not abandon anyone to cope alone, it is our duty to help, listen to their distress, and be there for them.”
Head of the Manpower Directorate, Brigadier General Amir Wadmani, presented the committee’s recommendations: “The committee recommended maintaining the unique status of an IDF fallen soldier and preserving the existing distinction between a civilian and a soldier. At the same time, in light of the implications of ‘Swords of Iron’ and the exceptional circumstances, it recommended that regarding the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, a unique and tailored response should be implemented.
The response involves two stages – if someone takes their own life after military service and there are circumstances related to their military service, the matter is brought before the Head of the Manpower Directorate. The Head of the Manpower Directorate examines whether the suicide event meets the criteria, including the duration of service, the nature of the role, exposure to exceptional events during service, the proximity in time between service and death, and whether there were indications of mental distress during military service. The information is immediately clarified between the IDF and the police, and if the Head of the Manpower Directorate decides there are unique circumstances, with the family’s consent, military insignia are allowed during a civilian funeral ceremony.
In the second stage, the IDF accompanies the family in the process with the Ministry of Defense to receive rights according to the law. If the Ministry of Defense accepts the causal link, commemoration on the Wall of Remembrance at Mount Herzl, on the Yizkor website, placing a candle and flag on memorial day, and a military cantor at the memorial service are added.”
According to army data, in 2025, 22 cases of suicide were recorded, including 12 conscripts, one officer, and 9 reservists. For comparison, in 2024, 21 cases were recorded. In terms of conscripts, there was an increase from 7 to 12, while among reservists, there was a decrease from 12 to 9.
In the year before the war, i.e., 2022, there were 14 cases among conscripts and zero cases among reservists. The IDF explains that the increase among reservists in 2024 and 2025 is due to the very extensive activation of reservists.
50% of the cases in 2025 were of combat soldiers, 75% of the cases were not treated by a mental health officer (קב”ן), and 85% of the cases involved suicide by weapon.
MK Ofer Cassif presented data from a report by the Knesset Research and Information Center, written at his request, which shows that between 2017 and 2022, the proportion of combat soldiers among all IDF soldiers who committed suicide ranged between 42% and 45%. In 2023, this proportion decreased to 17%, and in 2024, it increased significantly to 78%. In 2024-2025 (until the end of July), 17% of soldiers who committed suicide had met with a mental health officer in the two months prior to their suicide.
Regarding suicide attempts, between January 2024 and July 2025, 279 soldiers attempted suicide – meaning, for every soldier who committed suicide in the IDF, another seven suicide attempts were documented. In the clinical report of the Medical Corps, 12% of these suicide attempts were defined as severe (i.e., actions whose execution could have led to the person’s death or significant injury), and 88% were defined as moderate (suicidal actions with low risk potential).
Head of Clinical Services, Lt. Col. Dr. Carmel Kahlah: “Regarding the treatment of career soldiers in their first year, there is the Liba unit that deals with career soldiers in their first year. We are engaged in awareness campaigns to reduce stigma regarding seeking help, and we are also seeing an increase in inquiries. It is important for me to clarify that the primary goal of mental health officers is to treat.”
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