‘I killed lots of terrorists, but it didn’t make me feel better’: The trauma haunting Israel's elections

Key Points:

• A group of 18 Israeli army veterans suffering from PTSD have been meeting for a year to support each other and are now traveling to New York for a week-long program funded by donors, accompanied by psychologists.
• Lior Tapicer, a former soldier traumatized by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and subsequent combat in Gaza, shares his experience of intense fear, guilt, and mental health struggles, highlighting the deep psychological impact of the conflict.
• PTSD cases among Israeli soldiers have surged by 40% since September 2023, with 60% of over 22,000 treated for war injuries also struggling with PTSD; suicide attempts among soldiers remain a critical concern.
• Israeli medical professionals warn of an impending mental health crisis due to prolonged conflict, with increasing severity and complexity of psychiatric cases, and are exploring innovative treatments such as MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD.
• Many soldiers, including reservists like Or, express deep fatigue and disillusionment with the ongoing war and government policies, emphasizing the heavy emotional toll and the desire for peace despite continuing military service.