According to a report by The Times of Israel, Maj. (res.) Asaf Dagan, an air force reservist combat navigator who died by suicide in October 2024, has been officially recognized by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Defense Ministry as a fallen soldier, his family announced in a statement.
Dagan was not in active service at the time of his death, which occurred when he shot himself with his handgun. His family said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but continued to regularly attend reserve duty.
In December 2024, the High Court of Justice ruled that Dagan should receive a military funeral, though he was to be buried in a civilian cemetery.
The recognition follows a 2025 announcement that reservists and former conscripts who die by suicide linked to service-related psychological trauma would not automatically be classified as fallen soldiers. Each case would instead undergo individual review by the IDF.
Dagan’s family, which had campaigned publicly and legally for his recognition, said the decision “corrects a deep injustice.”
“Justice has finally been done,” the family said in a statement. “The State of Israel now recognizes our Asaf as he truly was: a combat navigator, officer, paratrooper, reservist and Israeli hero, who devoted his life to the security of the state with endless dedication, and paid a heavy psychological price as a result of his service.”
The IDF and Defense Ministry’s recognition formally acknowledges Dagan as a fallen soldier, placing him among those whose service and sacrifice are honored by the state.
The ruling by the High Court of Justice and the subsequent IDF recognition represent a significant development in the treatment of service-related psychological trauma cases among reservists and former soldiers.
Dagan’s death highlighted the challenges faced by reservists dealing with the long-term psychological effects of military service. His family’s campaign aimed to ensure that service-related mental health struggles are formally acknowledged within the framework of military casualty recognition.
By granting Maj. (res.) Dagan official status as a fallen soldier, the IDF and Defense Ministry have formally recognized the link between his military service and the psychological strain that contributed to his death.
The decision provides his family with official acknowledgment of his contributions and sacrifices, reinforcing his legacy as a committed reservist and officer who served the State of Israel……See More
Leave a Reply