Over 75,000 Soldiers Wounded in Israel’s Wars: A Look at the Current Conflict’s Toll

Israel's Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that over 75,000 soldiers have been wounded in Israel’s wars, with nearly 13,500 of those casualties from the ongoing conflict. As the country prepares for its national day of recognizing wounded soldiers this Wednesday, the ministry reflected on the serious toll of the current war, projecting that more than 20,000 soldiers would be wounded this year alone.

While the number of wounded soldiers decreased slightly between February and May, the second half of 2024 still saw a significant 20% increase in wounded soldiers compared to the previous year. The war’s toll is not only felt on the battlefield but also among civilians, as the October 7 massacre by Hamas caused overwhelming casualties among non-combatants.

The majority of those injured are facing a combination of physical and emotional harm. Approximately 51% of the soldiers wounded in the current conflict are above the age of 30, and over 8,500 soldiers have sustained physical injuries. Around 43% of those injured are dealing with emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The ministry has streamlined processes for recognizing wounded soldiers and offering therapeutic treatments. In addition to traditional therapy, there are now 300 new technological treatment options and 229 soldiers have been assigned special therapy dogs.