7,000 soldiers disabled as reservists pay out of pocket for overseas care

More than 7,000 soldiers have received official disability ratings for psychological conditions stemming from their service. Most of these individuals are combat troops. The figures come from the IDF and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.

Reservists say the military system is struggling to handle the volume of cases. Many have traveled abroad to join workshops and receive treatment from private nonprofit organizations. One source said the IDF should have coordinated with these groups to minimize gaps in diagnosis and oversight. The reservists argue that regular soldiers receive ongoing support, while reservists often face limited help near the end of their deployments.

Military sources serving in the reserves describe a perception that the military considers its responsibility fulfilled once a reservist returns to civilian life. They say these individuals are left to manage bureaucracy and thin support services alone. Specialists warn that the psychological impact on hundreds of thousands of combat personnel is expected to intensify in the coming years. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists, will develop PTSD.

The IDF Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources claim these services have not kept pace with demand while fighting continues. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. The Medical Corps states this figure covers only patients treated at the clinic, not all soldiers with post-traumatic symptoms.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit responded that the military has expanded capacity and quality of services since the war began. It noted that new clinics have opened across Israel and a 24-hour hotline operates seven days a week. The military also said it identifies soldiers who may need help through structured debriefing sessions after operational deployments.

The Medical Corps said it added occupational therapy and an intensive outpatient program to the Ta'atzumot Clinic. The Combat Stress Reaction Unit has seen more than 5,000 new patients and has widened access in northern and southern Israel. The unit works with the Defense Ministry and treats veterans and discharged personnel. The Medical Corps noted that periodic surveys show most patients are satisfied.

The IDF introduced a framework called the "Service Cycle" to reflect the view that reserve service affects individuals and their families throughout the year. The Medical Corps said it does not oppose releasing data on personnel with combat stress reactions. It added that such figures are already published in scientific publications and research.