IDF soldier planned to throw himself into an active volcano

An IDF soldier, severely wounded physically and mentally in the last war, planned to commit suicide by throwing himself into an active volcano in Sicily. His suicide note reached a volunteer at the "Helambulance" project, established at the protest encampment opposite the Knesset, which provides immediate assistance to combat stress reaction victims. Thanks to the project's activity, in cooperation with the local police, his brother, and the Foreign Ministry, the soldier was rescued and returned to Israel for treatment.

An IDF soldier, severely wounded physically and mentally in the last war, planned to commit suicide by throwing himself into an active volcano in Sicily. A 16-page suicide note he sent to his wife, his psychiatrist, and his commander reached a volunteer at the "Helambulance" project – a real-time primary emotional support service for combat stress reaction victims, operated 24/7 by volunteers. The project was born at the protest encampment opposite the Knesset. Hagai Azran, one of the project's operators, contacted relevant parties, and with the assistance of the local police in Italy, the soldier's brother who was flown in from France, and the Foreign Ministry, the soldier was rescued and returned to Israel. He was referred to professional care. The project emphasizes that it is not a substitute for professional treatment, but serves as a first solution in distress. Shmuel Harel, a partner in the project, said they have handled about 1,000 calls since March 2026. Harel, himself a combat stress reaction victim, developed an app called "Shikum Ef" to assist in navigating disability regulations.