7,000 Soldiers Rated Disabled as Reservists Seek Therapy Abroad

More than 7,000 Israeli soldiers have been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities resulting from nearly three years of combat operations. Most of these individuals are combat troops. The IDF and the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department estimate that tens of thousands more will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Sources indicate that the military is struggling to manage the rising demand for mental health services among reservists who have completed long deployments.

Reservists report a gap in support compared to regular-service soldiers. While active duty personnel receive ongoing assistance, reserve members often receive limited help only near the end of their deployments. Military sources serving in the reserves state that once a reservist returns to civilian life, the military considers its responsibility fulfilled. This leaves many individuals to navigate bureaucracy and thin support services alone. As a result, thousands of reservists are traveling abroad to join workshops and receive treatment from private nonprofit organizations.

One source familiar with the issue argued that the IDF should collaborate more closely with these foreign groups. "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," the source said. Specialists warn that the psychological impact on hundreds of thousands of combat soldiers and reservists is expected to intensify in the coming years. They describe a trend of personnel bypassing the military system in favor of alternative programs overseas.

The IDF Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources claim that the capacity of these services has not kept pace with demand while fighting continues. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that approximately 65% of its patients return to service. However, sources question whether this figure represents the full picture or only those who reached the front line of treatment. The IDF maintains that its patients generally have complex conditions that cannot be handled within their units.

In response, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that 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 military said it does not wait for soldiers to seek help but identifies those in need through structured debriefing sessions after deployments. The IDF added that it has grown staff at the Ta'atzumot Clinic and added occupational therapy and an intensive outpatient program.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit has treated more than 5,000 new patients and has widened access in northern and southern Israel. The Medical Corps said periodic surveys show most patients are satisfied with care. It noted that Israeli law generally bars the IDF from treating civilians, except through the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. The military also introduced a framework called the "Service Cycle." This approach reflects the view that reserve service affects personnel and their units throughout the year, rather than being limited to specific mobilization periods.