Researchers from Tel Aviv University say there is a sharp rise in the number of soldiers reporting multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following their service in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prof. Yair Bar-Haim, head of the university’s National Center for Trauma and Resilience, who led the study, presented his findings at TAU’s Annual Convention on Wednesday.

About 12% of discharged soldiers showed “significant” post-traumatic symptoms, the researcher said, saying the war has increased “psychological distress.”

The data, Bar-Haim said, “contributes to the understanding that Israel is facing a mental health emergency.”

“Decision-makers must act urgently to develop long-term solutions to address the need for treating a high number of soldiers with PTSD,” he said.

He also called upon authorities to upgrade and accelerate training for future therapists and establish strong regional clinics specializing in trauma and PTSD.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 into Gaza.

Bar-Haim said the reserves call-up rate stood at over 100% at the start of the war. Now, he said, it has dropped to 75–85%.

The drop could be caused by long-term damage to soldiers’ careers and finances, harm to their families and social lives, anger over inequality in the burden of service, and a general decline in motivation due to the unusually prolonged nature of........

© The Times of Israel