Three Israeli soldiers who had taken part in Tel Aviv’s recent war on the Gaza Strip have taken their own lives due to psychological problems, a report says.
Israeli daily Maariv reported Monday that the soldiers, who were members of the elite Golani Brigade, “had suffered psychological problems” in connection to their participation in the 50-day war.
It added that two soldiers had committed suicide near the border with the Gaza Strip, while a third killed himself in central Israel.
The newspaper added that the Israeli military police are investigating reasons behind the suicides.
The Israeli army has not made any comment about the incident.
In 2013, eight Israeli soldiers had killed themselves, according to a source in the army’s psychological health department.
Israel unleashed attacks on Gaza in early July and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion into the Palestinian territory. Over 2,130 Palestinians lost their lives and some 11,000 were injured. Gaza Health officials say the victims included 578 children and nearly 260 women.
According to Israeli sources, more than 70 Israelis were also killed. Palestinian officials put this number at more than 150.
This is a very sad story and the Israeli government should see that these young soldiers have been ordered to commit crimes that they realize was wrong and the killing must stop for both sides sake. Hopefully they did not die in vain.