More than 16,000 personnel wounded in the current war have received treatment since Oct. 7, 2023, according to data the Israeli Defense Ministry released ahead of its Rehabilitation Department’s first international conference.
An additional 8,300 individuals have sought recognition for injuries from incidents that took place before the war. The total number of wounded under Defense Ministry care now stands at 78,000, with one in two experiencing psychological distress.
Sixty-six percent of the wounded since the Oct. 7 terrorist invasion are reserve soldiers, 51% are aged 18-30, and 7% are women. About 10,900 individuals have physical injuries, while 50% suffer psychological distress, including 2,900 with both physical and psychological trauma.
Among the wounded, 6% have moderate injuries and 4% have severe injuries. Seventy-two amputees have already received prosthetic devices.
The conference, titled “Lifetime Partnership,” will take place on Tuesday at Tel Aviv University, gathering experts from more than 20 countries. Sessions will focus on medical, psychological and social rehabilitation efforts for IDF personnel and released hostages, highlighting innovative treatments and personal recovery stories.
The Defense Ministry maintains a “rehabilitation before bureaucracy” approach, ensuring immediate care while delaying formal evaluations for one year. The average annual cost per war casualty is estimated at 150,000 shekels (about $40,000). With projections estimating 100,000 disabled veterans by 2030, the Defense Ministry is enhancing digital services to support long-term care.
