Report: Israel expects 172% increase in psychological injuries among soldiers by 2030

The Israeli Defence Ministry expects a 172 per cent increase in psychological injuries among soldiers by 2030, including 61 per cent among army soldiers, Israel Hayom newspaper reported yesterday.

The paper said the ministry also expects the rehabilitation department’s budget to increase from 3.7 billion shekels ($1 billion) in 2019 to 10.7 billion shekels ($2.9 billion) in 2030 in order to accommodate the increased demand.

According to data released by the ministry, the army’s rehabilitation department treated 62,000 people, including 11,000 with psychological injuries, before the war. However, it expects the number of disabled people to rise to 78,000 by the end of this year, including 15,000 with severe disabilities, and that this number will rise to 100,000 by 2030.

The ministry also expects the budget for the families of fallen soldiers to rise from 1.8 billion shekels ($0.5 million) last year to 4.2 billion ($1.13 billion) shekels by the end of this year, and to 6.2 billion shekels ($1.67 billion) in 2030.

However, estimates indicate that the costs will rise even higher if the war expands to include Lebanon and other areas, during which Israeli civilians and soldiers will be targeted, and will be killed or wounded.

Some 10,646 soldiers have been left disabled since the beginning of the war on Gaza, according to the rehabilitation department.

Read: Israel analysts warn of risks of comprehensive military action in Lebanon