1,000 Days Since the War Began: Defense Ministry Rehabilitation Division Reports Nearly 26,000 Seeking Care

The Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Division reported today (Thursday) a rise in the number of people seeking treatment among soldiers and others wounded in the fighting, due to struggles with psychological distress. According to the report, of the approximately 26,200 wounded IDF soldiers and members of the security forces being treated by the division, about 65% are seeking care בגלל psychological distress, such as post-trauma, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, depression, and more.

According to estimates by the Rehabilitation Division, by 2028 the total number of wounded people treated by the division will reach about 100,000, including around 50,000 dealing with psychological injuries. According to Defense Ministry data, about 17,000 are coping with psychological injuries, and of those, about 7,700 are also dealing with physical injuries. About 9,000 patients are coping with physical injuries alone, including 97 wounded individuals dealing with limb amputations.

Among the wounded, 62% are reservists, 21% are in mandatory service, 10% serve in the Israel Police, and 7% are career service members. By gender breakdown, 92% are men and 8% are women.

The Rehabilitation Division noted that it significantly expanded services for the wounded during the war: about 4,000 mental health therapists, four times the number at the start of the war; three times as many stabilization homes; the creation of innovative services "from scratch," including 9 rehabilitation farms across the country; a mobile mental health treatment unit for crisis and distress situations; a dedicated nursing department for young people; and more. "Even so, given the scale of the wounded, a broader national response is required," the Rehabilitation Division emphasized.

Still, the Defense Ministry warned: "In the face of the enormous increase in the number of wounded, the system must be funded differently, otherwise it could collapse under the burden."