The ongoing conflict in Gaza has plunged the families of Israeli army reservists into profound psychological, economic, and domestic turmoil. A new study reveals the unprecedented pressure these families are enduring, marked by growing crises in relationships, employment, and mental health.
The research, conducted by Pollylabs in collaboration with the Association of Reservists’ Wives and the Soldiers on the Home Front organization, paints a concerning picture. Their findings are based on an analysis of data from over 2,300 wives of soldiers, in-depth interviews, calls to support centers, and a review of specialized literature.
Escalating Mental Health Challenges
The report indicates that over 45% of reservists and 68% of their spouses are experiencing persistent psychological distress. Despite this, only 25% of spouses are receiving mental health support. A shocking revelation from the study is that 21% of couples have considered separation since the Hamas attack last October—a figure ten times higher than Israel’s average divorce rate.
Impact on Children
The war’s effects are not limited to adults. Approximately 85% to 92% of parents have reported significant behavioral changes in their children. More than 30% noted aggressive behaviors in children aged 0-11, and 74% of parents with children under five reported increased dependency on the parent present at home. Additionally, nearly half of these families are in urgent need of assistance with daily tasks.
Economic Hardship
Economic issues are adding to the mounting pressure. 70% of reservists are concerned about job loss or career damage. 47% experience daily financial stress, while 45% have lost over half of their income. Furthermore, 58% have yet to receive any compensation from the government. Compounding these difficulties, approximately 68% of spouses have not been able to access services they are legally entitled to. The State Comptroller has also warned that the average waiting time for psychological treatments has reached 6.5 months.
Urgent Call for Systemic Change
Gila Touloub, CEO of the ICAR Institute, which works to accelerate recovery for trauma victims in Israel, warned, “We cannot continue to treat these families as an inexhaustible resource. It is time for a systemic and comprehensive approach to replace piecemeal measures.”
Alina Shkolnikov, VP of Partnerships at Pollylabs, stated that the research aimed to identify areas where technology could make a difference. “We shared these findings to highlight the depth of the crisis and emphasize the need for structural change,” she added.
The report, also published by The Jerusalem Post, warns that if current trends continue, Israel faces a shortage of 7,000 to 15,000 reservists in the coming years. Furthermore, the number of low-income families has increased by 21%. Researchers emphasize that the only way to overcome this crisis is through technological solutions, strengthened social services, and comprehensive support for the family unit as a whole.
From: yjc