Tel Aviv (AsiaNews/Agencies) Israeli soldiers die more often as a result of suicide than in clashes with Palestinians. This is what Israeli daily Maariv website claims quoting an internal report from the defence Ministry.
According to Maariv, suicide was the main cause of death in the Israeli army in 2003. According to the same report 43 Israeli soldiers took their lives last year, a 30% increase over 2002, as opposed to 30 who were killed in military operations.
The report also reveals that 15 other cases were recorded in the first six months of 2004.
The Report quoted by Maariv does not provide any explanations as to possible causes.
Most Israeli soldiers are conscripts between the ages of 19 and 25. Military service is three years.
