The same outlet previously revealed that the army has been drafting reservists with pre-existing trauma and psychological disorders, even those still undergoing treatment. It has also reactivated soldiers discharged for mental illness, citing troop shortages. Haaretz stated that more than 9,000 soldiers are currently receiving psychological care.

One senior Israeli officer told the paper that the army is forced to draft individuals who are not mentally stable because “many Israeli soldiers are refusing to fight.” He said thousands of troops in Gaza had reported psychological issues but were still deployed. “We’re fighting with whoever’s available, not with those actually capable,” he added.

In February, Yedioth Ahronoth reported a surge in reservists joining the military’s mental health support program after months of service. The article stated that 170,000 soldiers had registered. In another November report, the same newspaper cited army estimates that about 15% of regular soldiers returning from Gaza required psychological treatment and were unable to return to duty, worsening the army’s manpower crisis.

It also noted that “a third of all recognized disabled veterans” in the Israeli entity suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “This is only the beginning; the full scale of psychological collapse will become clear once the guns fall silent,” the report warned. Based on testimonies, nearly every unit that fought in Gaza or Lebanon has seen many fighters discharged for mental health reasons. “Many soldiers who want to leave combat are facing resistance from commanders and military health authorities,” it added.