The IDF’s internal review process examined each suicide case, including farewell letters and interviews with relatives and fellow soldiers. A senior official told KAN that “most of the suicides among soldiers resulted from the complex realities of war,” underscoring that “war has consequences.” These findings were not denied by the military and are being taken into account in current policy revisions.

The IDF stated that each suicide is reviewed at the colonel level and is also subject to a military police investigation. Commanders are being trained to better identify early signs of distress, and soldiers are being offered enhanced access to mental health services.

In response to the crisis, the IDF has increased the number of mental health officers, known as KABANs, by 200 for active-duty troops and by 600 for reservists. These officers are being deployed across units to provide real-time psychological support. The military emphasized that it is implementing “systemic lessons” from the surge in suicides, including efforts to improve psychological readiness before deployment and follow-up support afterward.

The IDF’s admission reflects the growing strain on soldiers amid Israel’s continued war posture. As combat operations persist, the army is under pressure to address the mental health burden faced by troops operating under prolonged exposure to trauma.