IDF to recognize reservist with PTSD who took own life as a fallen soldier
Army says recognition possible because Eliran Mizrahi was on active duty when he died, after initially saying he was not; family welcomes move ‘with happiness mixed with sadness’
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF said Wednesday it would recognize a reservist with post-traumatic stress disorder who took his own life as a fallen soldier, and he will receive a military burial as his family had requested.
It said that after a review carried out by the head of the Personnel Directorate, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, it was found that Sgt. Maj. (res.) Eliran Mizrahi died while on active reserve duty.
Mizrahi of Ma’ale Adumim was called into the reserves shortly after Hamas’s October 7 attack, when he was assigned to help clear the bodies of those murdered by Palestinian terrorists at the Supernova music festival. He was then sent into Gaza, where he served as a combat engineer until he was injured in April.
According to Channel 12 news, Mizrahi was recognized as a disabled IDF veteran and diagnosed with PTSD, but received an order on Friday to report for duty in Rafah two days later. He then took his own life.
The IDF had initially refused to recognize him as a fallen soldier, claiming he was not on duty at the time of his death.
The army’s investigation found that Mizrahi, his company commander, and another soldier had met up as part of preparations for operational activity they were due to carry out in the coming days.
The IDF said the meet-up was not a “social meeting, as described in the initial inquiry held on the day of the incident.
“It was also found that this meeting was made as part of his military service and is required to be listed as a day in active reserve duty,” the military said.
Following the investigation, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a consultation on the matter, during which they decided to recognize Mizrahi as a fallen soldier.
The IDF said it “shares in the grief of the Mizrahi family, and will continue to support them.”
Mizrahi’s family hailed the army’s “correct, appropriate and moral decision,” but said it was welcoming it “with happiness mixed with sadness.”
“Over the last few days, the family has received extraordinary and moving support from all parts of Israeli society,” it adds in a statement. “We want to thank all those who supported the family’s just struggle.”
