Israel Air Force reservist commits suicide after being called up for service

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said yesterday that a reserve officer in the Air Force with the rank of major committed suicide after being called up for service.

The authority reported that according to an urgent message sent to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the reserve officer in the Air Force, Major Asaf Dagan, was called up for service and was on his way to the military base when he ended his life. His body was found in a forest near Atlit, next to his personal rifle.

The broadcasting authority said that on the day of his death, his unit was in dire need of manpower, and he was called up with others to arrive immediately at the Kirya base.

According to the authority, the items found near his body confirm that he was indeed on his way to the shift before he ended his life. It noted that his backpack contained equipment and clothes for the shift, a mobile phone, a charger, headphones, keys and a shaving kit, according to Russia Today.

The source said that his family demanded that he be buried with a military ceremony, but the army refused.

Dagan, 38, was discharged from regular service about three years ago, but has continued to serve in the reserves since then.

He began his career in the army with the paratroopers and became an officer, served in the 2006 war on Lebanon and then volunteered for a pilot course.

His mother said that during the four years since his release, her son has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In a letter he left for his mum, Dagan wrote: “You may be relieved to know that I found rest and you simply will not have to worry about me anymore.”

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