Reservists say they feel abandoned after service as they seek therapy abroad

More than 7,000 soldiers, primarily combat troops, have been officially certified as disabled due to psychological conditions resulting from nearly three years of intense fighting. This figure represents the current count of personnel recognized by the Israeli Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.

Reservists report that the military’s capacity to provide mental health care has not kept pace with demand. Consequently, thousands of reservists completing long combat deployments are traveling abroad to join workshops and receive treatment from private nonprofit organizations. One source stated, "It would have been preferable for the IDF to initiate a process with the nonprofit organizations and private bodies to minimize the gaps in diagnosis, oversight, and ultimately treatment."

A divide exists between regular-service soldiers and reserve personnel regarding the availability of support. Regular soldiers receive ongoing assistance, whereas reservists often receive limited help only near the end of their deployments. Military sources in the reserves claim that once reservists become civilians, the military considers its responsibility fulfilled, leaving them to navigate bureaucracy and thin support services alone.

Specialists warn that the current numbers may only be the beginning. Estimates from the IDF and the Rehabilitation Department suggest that tens of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists, will develop PTSD. One expert noted that the psychological shockwaves among hundreds of thousands of combat soldiers and reservists "are only beginning and are expected to intensify in the coming years."

The IDF Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. The IDF stated that this figure covers only patients treated at the clinic, not all soldiers with post-traumatic symptoms. The Combat Stress Reaction Unit has seen more than 5,000 new patients and has widened access in northern and southern Israel.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the military has expanded the capacity and quality of its services since the war began. New clinics have opened across Israel, and a 24-hour hotline operates seven days a week. The IDF added that it identifies potential cases through structured debriefing sessions immediately after operational deployments.

The Medical Corps said it does not oppose releasing data on personnel with combat stress reactions. The IDF announced that it has built a framework called the "Service Cycle." This framework reflects the view that reserve service is no longer a set period of mobilization followed by discharge, and can affect reservists, their families and their units throughout the year.