JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL

An Israeli reservist, who served more than 300 days in the war-torn Gaza Strip, committed suicide after witnessing “horrific scenes” during the war, local media said on Thursday.

Army Radio said Roi Wasserstein, 24, who served in the 401st Armored Brigade’s medical evacuation unit, ended his life after repeatedly sharing with family and friends the atrocities and painful experiences he endured in the enclave. He completed his last reserve duty in late May 2025.

The broadcaster said the military will not recognize Wasserstein as a fallen soldier, as he was not officially on duty at the time of his death.

With Wasserstein’s death, the number of Israeli soldiers who committed suicide this month alone has risen to seven, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Israeli media said that nearly 50 soldiers have committed suicide since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

According to military data, 898 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 6,134 injured since the beginning of the war in Gaza in October 2023. The army faces domestic accusations of concealing higher losses.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 60,200 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages.

On Monday, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s healthcare system.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.