Reservist who died by suicide in 2024 recognized as IDF casualty

Maj. (res.) Asaf Dagan, an air force reservist combat navigator who died by suicide in October 2024, has been officially recognized by the IDF and Defense Ministry as a fallen soldier, his family says in a statement.

Dagan was not in active service when he shot himself with his handgun. According to his family, he suffered from PTSD but would regularly show up for reserve duty.

In December 2024, the High Court of Justice ruled that Dagan should receive a military funeral, but still be buried in a civilian cemetery.

The recognition comes after it was announced in late 2025 that reservists and former conscripts who die by suicide linked to service-related psychological trauma would not automatically be classified as fallen soldiers, with each case instead subject to individual review by the IDF.

Dagan’s family, which waged a long legal and public campaign for his recognition, says the decision “corrects a deep injustice.”

“Justice has finally been done,” the family says. “The State of Israel now recognizes our Asaf as he truly was: a combat navigator, officer, paratrooper, reservist and Israeli hero, who devoted his life to the security of the state with endless dedication, and paid a heavy psychological price as a result of his service.”