Thousands of Soldiers Seek Care Abroad as Domestic Resources Fall Short

For many individuals who have returned from long stints on the front lines, the end of a deployment no longer marks a return to normalcy. Instead, a growing number of these personnel are finding themselves in a gap between military service and civilian life, where access to necessary mental health support is often limited or entirely absent. This shift places a significant burden on those who have served, forcing many to look outside the official channels for help.

The core issue lies in the disparity between regular soldiers and those serving in the reserves. While active duty personnel receive ongoing support, reservists typically encounter a sudden drop in assistance once their service concludes. Insiders describe a system that effectively considers its duty fulfilled the moment a reservist leaves active status, leaving them to navigate a complex bureaucratic landscape with thin support services. This disconnect has led to a concerning trend where veterans seek relief through private nonprofit organizations and workshops held abroad.

One source familiar with the situation emphasized that the military should have established a closer partnership with these external groups to ensure consistent standards of care. They noted that it would have been preferable for the military to initiate a formal process with these bodies to minimize gaps in diagnosis, oversight, and ultimate treatment. The fear among specialists is that the psychological impact is only beginning to surface. One expert warned that the shockwaves affecting hundreds of thousands of combat soldiers and reservists are expected to intensify in the coming years.

Current estimates from the military and the Defense Ministry suggest that tens of thousands of service members, predominantly reservists, will develop post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the conflict. More than 7,000 individuals have already been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities related to their service. The military’s internal medical facilities, including the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit, are struggling to keep pace with this demand, particularly while active fighting continues on multiple fronts.

The military’s spokesperson responded by stating that mental health care is a top priority and that capacity has been significantly expanded since the war began. They highlighted the opening of new clinics across the country and the operation of a 24-hour hotline available seven days a week. The military also noted that it does not wait for individuals to seek help, but rather uses structured debriefing sessions to identify those who may need support immediately after operational deployments.

Regarding the Ta'atzumot Clinic, the military explained that it treats complex conditions that cannot be managed within standard units. The goal of treatment is rehabilitation and assessing fitness for continued service, rather than retaining personnel at all costs. The 65% return-to-service rate cited by the clinic, according to the military, reflects only those patients who reached the clinic and not the total population of affected soldiers. Critics, however, question whether this figure captures the full scope of the issue.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit, which also serves veterans and discharged personnel, has recorded over 5,000 new patients. The military stated that they have maintained short waiting times and expanded access in the north and south. They also clarified that while the military handles active personnel, some services fall under civilian bodies such as the Health Ministry and health maintenance organizations. Israeli law generally restricts the military from treating civilians, with the Combat Stress Reaction Unit being a notable exception.

In a broader strategic shift, the military has introduced a framework called the Service Cycle. This approach acknowledges that reserve service is no longer a discrete period of mobilization followed by discharge. Instead, it recognizes that the effects of service can impact reservists, their families, and their units throughout the entire year, requiring a more continuous and integrated approach to support.