Who is Daniel Edri? Israeli Soldier Dies by Self-Immolation

Daniel Edri, a 24-year-old Israeli soldier, has died by self-immolation after struggling with severe trauma from his military service in Gaza and Lebanon. He set himself on fire in the Biriya Forest, located near the occupied Palestinian city of Safad, Hebrew media reported on Friday.

A Life Lost to War Trauma

Daniel had returned from active combat duty, but was deeply haunted by what he had witnessed. In conversations with his mother, he expressed that he was unable to escape the images and smell of corpses from the war zone.

“I can’t live with this anymore,” he reportedly told her.

Family and friends revealed that Daniel had been showing signs of severe psychological distress. He is now among the growing number of Israeli soldiers who have either contemplated or taken their own lives after serving in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which began in October 2023.

Military Suicide Rates on the Rise

Israeli military officials have confirmed that suicides among soldiers have sharply increased—with a 145% rise in the number of those threatening or attempting to take their lives since the war began.

A Tel Aviv University study recently found that 12% of reservists involved in the Gaza conflict are now suffering from severe psychological disorders, rendering many unfit for duty.

A Reflection of War’s Psychological Toll

Daniel Edri’s death sheds light on the mental health crisis now affecting large parts of the Israeli military. Despite advanced equipment and training, the emotional and psychological aftermath of conflict continues to destroy lives long after the battlefield is left behind.

His story has sparked new calls within Israel for better support systems for veterans, especially those exposed to intense combat situations.