Trigger warning: This article discusses sensitive topics such as suicide.
IDF reservist Ariel Taman was found lifeless in his home on Sunday night in Ofakim in southern Israel, a military spokesperson said Monday.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which is being reported as a suspected suicide, and all findings will be forwarded to the military attorney's office for examination.
Taman had previously served in the Military Rabinate in a position identifying soldiers killed in battle. He leaves behind a wife and four children, the youngest of whom is only three months old, according to KAN News.
"He was the strongest person I knew. He was our strength. If I wanted strength, I would draw from him," KAN quoted Taman's sister, Bat El, as saying. "This is a terrible shock, he was the anchor of the house since October 7. Thanks to him, we coped and held our heads high."
Recent cases of suicide among IDF soldiers
There have been numerous recent cases of IDF soldiers taking their own lives after serving in the Gaza Strip.
Two weeks ago, a Nahal Brigade soldier took his own life on a military base in the Golan Heights. The IDF confirmed it would continue to support the soldier’s family.
Earlier this month, Daniel Edri, another soldier, took his life in the Biriya Forest near Safed, the town where he grew up.
He had been struggling with severe mental health issues as he tried to cope with the pain, images, and smells that haunted him from his experiences in Lebanon and Gaza.
Col. (Dr.) Yaakov Rothschild, head of the IDF’s Mental Health Division, said this week that soldiers are not only dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, but also suffering from sleep disturbances, concentration issues, anxiety, mood swings, and decreased appetite.
Rothschild, in an interview with Walla, highlighted a significant shift in how the IDF addresses mental health, particularly the breakdown of stigma surrounding mental health officers (Kabanim), and a newfound openness in discussing suicide, which was once a taboo topic within the military.
Eli Ashkenazi and Avihai Chiim contributed to this report.