On Thursday, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Human Resources Division released the casualty data for the IDF for the years 2023-2024. Since the beginning of the Iron Swords War against Hamas in Gaza, 891 IDF soldiers from the regular (mediatory) service, reserve service, and permanent/career reserve combined, and 5,569 have been wounded.
These figures include the casualties from fighting both in Gaza against Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists and in Lebanon against Hezbollah terrorists. It also includes those wounded or killed in missile/rocket strikes and drone/UAV attacks, such as the one when a drone struck an army base in the north of the country a few months ago.
In 2024, 363 IDF soldiers fell in all the services, compared to 558 casualties in 2023. Of these, 295 were killed during operational activity, 23 in various accidents, of which: 17 were civilian road accidents, 3 were military road accidents and 3 in other accidents. An additional 21 were/are being investigated on suspicion of suicides. Of the remaining, 13 died as a result of illness and 11 fell from some form of terror attack or booby trap by the enemy.
In 2023, 558 IDF soldiers fell in all services, compared to 44 casualties in all off 2022. 329 Israeli servicemen and women fell during the October 7 Hamas massacre, many during the surprise attacks on IDF surveillance posts along the border with Gaza.
Of the casualties during 2023-24, 512 were killed during operational activity, and 16 died in various accidents, including: 2 in training accidents, 4 in civilian road accidents, 5 in military road accidents, 1 in a weapons-related accident, and 4 in other types of accidents. Additionally, 17 cases are under investigation on suspicion of suicide. Ten individuals died due to illness, and 3 were lost in encounters involving both the IDF and enemy forces.
“From the beginning of the war,” said the Commander of the IDF’s Huma Resources Division, Brigadier General Amir Vedamani, “we have seen the heroism of IDF soldiers, who fight in all sectors, and demonstrate resilience, devotion to the mission, and patience. Thousands of wounded were injured during the war, the majority of whom are still in the rehabilitation wards, in a courageous struggle that continues even today.”
“The State of Israel has experienced a great loss,” added Brigadier General Vedamani, “Each person is a whole world, and each one is one too many. We must act to provide the best possible response to the issues. We will do everything possible to reduce the painful cases.”
