News- Middle East: An official report indicates that over 20,000 casualties have been recorded among Israeli forces, alongside a growing number of suicide cases amid the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli war ministry's Rehabilitation Department observed more than 20,000 wounded members of the Israeli forces since Oct. 7, 2023, with mental health casualties comprising 56 percent of cases and suicide cases reaching 18 in 2025 alone.

The data published by the Department revealed that half of the wounded Israeli forces are under age 30, 92 percent are male, and 64 percent are reservists.

Some 45 percent of the patients were dealing with physical injuries, while 56 percent faced psychological problems.

The Department's budget has increased 53 percent over the past two years to 8.3 billion shekels ($2.49bn), with 4.1 billion ($1.2bn) allocated for mental health treatment.

The Department estimated it will treat 100,000 wounded Israeli soldiers by 2028, including 50,000 psychological casualties, according to the official report.

The Department complained that it had severe staff shortages, with only one rehabilitation worker for every 750 patients.

Nine percent of Israeli casualties are classified as moderate to severely injured, with 56 Israeli soldiers defined as having the most severe, with over a 100 percent disability rating.

Twenty-four wounded have 100 percent disability, 168 are dealing with complex head injuries requiring close supervision, 16 are wheelchair-bound, and 99 are amputees who have been fitted with advanced prosthetics.

The Department reported receiving an average of 1,000 new casualties each month from the ongoing war in Gaza. 

In the meantime, the number of suicide cases among Israeli forces has increased significantly since the offensive to occupy Gaza City began last month.

Six Israeli forces in the Givati Brigade were sentenced to prison for refusing to return to Gaza despite informing commanders about their poor psychological condition, Israeli media reported.

Three of them received 10-day prison sentences for insubordination, two received suspended sentences, and one awaits military court proceedings.

Hayom reported that Israeli war minister Israel Katz and Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich had co-created a committee to treat wounded forces needing rehabilitation.

In June alone, over 6,000 Israeli forces sought psychological support from the Israeli Emotional First Aid Service (ERAN), the organization reported.

Haaretz reported Israeli forces recorded 11 suicide cases in 2021, 14 in 2022, 17 in 2023, and 21 in 2024, with 12 of those being reservists.

In July 2025 alone, Israeli forces witnessed seven suicide cases, according to the Israeli media outlet.

Source: Press TV