The Israeli public was struck by the heartbreaking news that 24-year-old Daniel Edri, a military reservist, died by suicide after enduring immense psychological trauma related to his service in Gaza.
According to Hebrew-language media reports released Sunday, Edri had been suffering from severe and prolonged mental distress, exacerbated by the brutal scenes he witnessed while transporting the bodies of fallen Israeli soldiers.
His body was discovered in the Biriya Forest near Safad, a quiet location that belied the storm he had been weathering internally. Friends and family revealed that Daniel had long battled haunting memories—both visual and sensory—linked to his military service.
He often confided in his mother about the unbearable smell of death, the images he couldn’t forget, and the horrors of war that plagued him day and night. Daniel had served long tours of duty as a combat support soldier, both in the north and the south of Israel, with one of his most harrowing responsibilities being the transportation of soldiers’ remains.
The psychological toll of this role had become increasingly visible, especially after the loss of two close friends who were killed at the Nova music festival massacre in 2023. That tragedy, paired with his battlefield duties, deeply shook him.
His mother spoke candidly to Israeli media, recounting her son’s deteriorating mental state. She shared that despite reaching out for psychiatric help, Daniel had been placed on a waiting list for hospitalisation in a psychiatric ward. In the meantime, she often feared for his life as he became prone to fits of rage and despair, even destroying his apartment during moments of breakdown.
“I begged for him to be admitted to a psychiatric facility, but we were told there was a wait,” she said. “He was not okay. He told me what he saw, what he smelled, and how it never left him.”
Heartbroken, she is now calling on the Israeli state to honor her son with a military funeral. Despite his voluntary service and the immense sacrifices he made, authorities have not yet confirmed such an arrangement.
For her, this recognition would not only honor Daniel’s service but also acknowledge the psychological price paid by countless soldiers like him. Daniel’s death has amplified the growing concerns in Israel over the mental health crisis emerging from the ongoing war in Gaza.
Earlier this year, Oren Helman, head of the Kesher association, revealed that over 100,000 Israelis were now suffering from psychological disorders linked to the conflict. He pointed to the government’s failure to provide adequate support as a major contributing factor.
“We are in the midst of a silent crisis,” Helman said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth. “Around 67,000 have developed new mental health issues since October 7.”
While international outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza grows—with over 61,700 Palestinians killed, many of them women and children—the psychological toll on Israeli society, especially among soldiers, continues to climb. Daniel Edri’s story is a stark reminder that war leaves few untouched.
For those struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, support is available. You can contact Samaritans for free, 24/7, at 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org. Additional resources are also available at www.stopsilence.net.
