Tel aviv: At least 18,500 Israeli soldiers and police forces have been injured since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, local media reported Sunday. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed that the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Division has received reports of 18,500 soldiers and other security forces being wounded with varying levels of severity.

According to Anadolu Agency, the figures provided by official Israeli military sources contrast sharply, indicating that only 6,145 soldiers have been injured and 895 have been killed. The daily also highlighted that more than 10,000 Israeli soldiers have experienced mental health issues, with 3,679 diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The newspaper further detailed that 9,000 soldiers have filed requests to have their psychological injuries acknowledged, citing conditions such as anxiety, adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression in 2024 alone.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has maintained its offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023. This has resulted in the deaths of over 59,800 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. The continuous bombardment has devastated the enclave and caused severe food shortages.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.