An Israeli reserve soldier has taken his own life in circumstances local media are linking to the psychological fallout of military operations in Gaza.

The soldier, identified as 28-year-old Thomas Edzgoscus of the Givati Brigade, died on Thursday after a long struggle with trauma related to his participation in the Gaza genocide.  

In posts shared shortly before his suicide, Edzgoscus wrote openly about his deteriorating mental state, saying he could no longer cope and felt “broken” and “lost.”

Israeli outlets reported that he had participated in battles in communities around Gaza during the October 7, 2023 attacks and later took part in ground operations inside the enclave.

A Reflection of Wider Military Pressures

Edzgoscus’s suicide comes amid mounting concerns over mental health within the Israeli army. Figures released in late October recorded 279 suicide attempts by soldiers over 18 months, with 36 resulting in death. An internal inquiry reportedly attributed a significant portion of these cases to the extreme stress and trauma soldiers have faced during the war in Gaza, pointing to a larger institutional crisis.

The incident unfolds as violence persists despite a ceasefire declared on October 10. Continued Israeli attacks have caused hundreds of additional casualties, according to Palestinian authorities.

Since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say more than 70,000 people—mostly women and children—have been killed, while nearly 171,000 others have been wounded.