IDF to form panel of experts to review treatment of discharged soldiers who died by suicide

The chief of the IDF’s Personnel Directorate, Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, has ordered the establishment of a panel of experts to “examine the response provided to discharged soldiers and reservists who are not on active duty and who ended their lives following their military service.”

The military says the committee will be headed by former Personnel Directorate chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Moti Almoz, and will include IDF medical and mental health professionals, legal advisors, casualty officers, and Defense Ministry representatives.

“The committee will examine systemic, moral, and socio-national aspects related to the challenges faced by IDF veterans after their discharge, including issues of recognition and support for servicemembers, as well as the legal implications of recognizing their cases,” the IDF says.

The military says the committee is intended to “ensure a thorough, responsible, sensitive, and equitable examination of the support given to servicemembers throughout and after their military service.”

The committee’s findings will be presented by Bar Kalifa to Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir for approval, the army adds.

During the ongoing war, the military has seen a rise in suicides among soldiers and reservists. In several cases, the IDF has not recognized off-duty reservists who died by suicide outside of duty as fallen soldiers.