Israel’s Defense Ministry has reported a significant rise in the number of wounded security personnel, with over 16,000 injuries recorded since Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. The announcement comes ahead of Israel’s first international rehabilitation conference, scheduled for Tuesday at Tel Aviv University.
According to the ministry’s Rehabilitation Division, more than 78,000 injured individuals are currently receiving care, including both physical and psychological treatment. Among them, 66% are reserve soldiers, and more than half (51%) are between 18 and 30 years old. Women account for 7% of the injured, while approximately 10,900 individuals are dealing with physical wounds. Psychological trauma remains a major challenge, with half of those treated suffering from mental health conditions, and 2,900 individuals experiencing both physical and psychological injuries.
The severity of injuries varies, with 6% classified as moderate and 4% as severe. Additionally, 72 individuals have undergone amputations and received prosthetic limbs. The financial burden of rehabilitation is substantial, with the Defense Ministry estimating an average annual cost of NIS 150,000 (USD 40,300) per war-wounded individual. By 2030, the Rehabilitation Division expects to be responsible for approximately 100,000 disabled IDF veterans, with half suffering from psychological conditions.
In addition, 8,300 veterans from past conflicts have recently sought official recognition for their disabilities, further increasing demand for support services.
The upcoming international rehabilitation conference will bring together representatives from over 20 countries, including experts from militaries, defense ministries, and health organizations. The goal of the event is to discuss new strategies in veteran care and strengthen global cooperation in rehabilitation efforts.
The conference takes place in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in at least 1,180 deaths and the abduction of 252 Israelis and foreigners. Currently, 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 36 believed to be dead.
