2 female Israeli soldiers commit suicide, military toll reaches at least 16 this year: Report

Two female Israeli soldiers recently died by suicide, bringing the total number of active-duty Israeli soldiers who have died by suicide this year to at least 16, according to a Haaretz report. One soldier from the Bardelas Battalion died Tuesday at a base in southern Israel, and another from the Military Intelligence Directorate died two days prior at the Glilot base near Ramat Hasharon. Additionally, at least nine reservists or regular service members who served during the Gaza war have died by suicide this year after completing active duty.

The figures indicate a rise in military suicides since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Before the war, the military averaged 12 suicides annually. From October 7, 2023, through the end of 2023, seven active-duty soldiers died by suicide. The numbers rose to 21 in 2024 and 22 in 2025, marking the highest annual total in 15 years, with some cases directly linked to war participation, including reservists diagnosed with PTSD.