Returned from Gaza, but Left His Mind Behind: The Haunted Loyalty of a Soldier

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In the latest chapter of “How Not to Cure PTSD,” we have Eliran Mizrahi, a dad of four who thought he was going to do his duty in the Gaza Strip and come back a hero. Spoiler alert: he got the hero part wrong and returned to his family as an exhibit in a tragic art gallery called “The Cost of War.” Eliran clocked in six months of PTSD, but blame it on the universe—he couldn’t quite punch out in time before he became another statistic, opting for the dramatic exit of suicide rather than the less glamorous redeployment to ‘Dancing with Mortality’ 2.0.

His mother, Jenny, reminisces on her son’s courage with a twist of irony: “He got out of Gaza, but Gaza didn’t get out of him.” A beautiful sentiment, or a critique of a system that turns the hope of soldiers into nightmares? Who’s to say? But hey, we respect the IDF’s tireless efforts to treat mental health concerns—by which we assume they mean handing out pamphlets titled “Toughen Up, You’re in the Army!”

And if you thought the statistics were cheery, brace yourself! Of the 1,600 IDF soldiers diagnosed with combat-related PTSD, a staggering 76% went back into combat. Nothing says “effective treatment” like a side of trauma with your standard issue rifle! Meanwhile, survivors like Omer Amsalem are mumbling their frustrations in Knesset, hoping to get someone to listen before they line up for a sequel to their trauma. “Why do we have to beg for help? Can’t you read the room, or are you just a bunch of lobbyists for emotional neglect?”

Eliran’s buddy, Guy Zaken, bravely testified that he and the other crew were ordered to “run over terrorists, dead and alive, in the hundreds,” which qualifies them for a unique PTSD badge: “We’re Not Just Killing People; We’re Collecting Trauma.” The poor guy doesn’t even enjoy meat anymore because it reminds him of “a lot of blood.” Talk about turning your dinner plate into a psychological horror scene!

And while the government pats itself on the back for addressing mental health—whatever that means—veterans are confronting their debts, fears of being re-drafted, and the cold shoulder from officials who might as well be named “Indifference.” “My financial situation is a disaster — I’m a million shekels in debt! But sure, why not compose an opera about my suffering while I’m at it?” Avichai Levy shouted into the void at the Knesset. At this point, one must wonder if mental health resources are available via subscription or if they come with a voucher code!

In the end, while the IDF marches on with its operations, our soldiers return to less glamorous battles—those fought in the minds of men, filled with memories that come without a manual. But as they say, laughter is the best medicine! Unless you’re a veteran, then you might want to seek out the actual medical facilities because the government’s bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.