Golan Heights: An Israeli soldier has died by suicide at a military base in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. This incident marks the third suicide case among active-duty troops within the past 10 days, according to the Israeli army's statement.
According to TRTworld.com, the military confirmed that the soldier, who was part of the Nahal Brigade, had participated in combat operations in Gaza. The Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported on the soldier's involvement in these operations, but the military statement did not provide further details regarding the circumstances of the death.
The frequency of suicides among Israeli soldiers has seen a notable increase since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. Israeli media reports indicate at least 15 soldiers have taken their own lives since the beginning of the year. Notably, a reserve soldier ended his life in a forest near Safed in northern Israel on July 6, allegedly due to psychological trauma stemming from combat experiences.
According to Israel Hayom, a total of 21 soldiers have died by suicide in 2024. Furthermore, an earlier report by Haaretz stated that 42 soldiers have taken their own lives since the commencement of the Gaza offensive.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life. Palestinians have documented the deaths of over 58,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, since the conflict began. Official reports suggest that approximately 11,000 Palestinians remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes, as reported by Palestine's official WAFA news agency. Experts believe the actual death toll could be as high as 200,000, exceeding the numbers reported by Gaza authorities.
The United States has continued to provide substantial military support to Israel, with $3.8 billion allocated annually. Since October 2023, the US has spent over $22 billion in support of Israel's military actions in Gaza and neighboring regions.
In a significant development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.
