Mother Seeks Military Funeral for IDF Soldier Who Died by Suicide

BIRIYA, Israel — Daniel Edri, a 24-year-old former IDF combat support soldier, died by suicide on Saturday in the Biriya forest near Safed, his hometown.

His family says Edri was haunted by the horrors he witnessed during his military service in Gaza and Lebanon, and by the deaths of two close childhood friends in the October 7 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival.

“He told me he couldn’t stop smelling the bodies,” his mother, Sigal Edri, recalled. “He said he saw horrors.”

Daniel, who recently turned 24, had been discharged from the IDF five months ago but continued to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During his service, he had transported the remains of fallen soldiers and spent long periods on the front lines. According to his family, the trauma became unbearable.

The murder of his friends Eliasaf Ben Porat and Gabriel Yishai Barel at the Nova festival devastated him. He had tried to reach Re’im on October 7 to help them, but never made it. Their deaths deeply compounded his suffering, his mother said.

Edri had actively sought mental health support. He began the Defense Ministry’s recognition process, received treatment and a stipend, and asked to be hospitalized.

Last week, he requested admission to a psychiatric facility, but was told to wait for a nursing home placement. “Time was against him,” Sigal said, her voice breaking. “He couldn’t bear the pain anymore.”

Sigal is now appealing for her son to be buried with military honors. “He deserves a military funeral,” she said. “At least in his death, he should find rest and respect.”

However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has declined her request. In a statement, the military explained that “an IDF martyr is someone who dies during their military service, whether on active duty or during reserve service.” Since Edri was no longer in either category at the time of his death, he does not meet the criteria.

The rejection has sparked public sympathy and renewed discussion about the treatment and recognition of soldiers struggling with mental health issues after their service ends.

Daniel was the third of four siblings and lost his father at a young age. He had always wanted to serve, his mother said. Being called up for reserve duty gave him purpose—until the trauma became overwhelming.

“His war didn’t end when he left the army,” Sigal said. “We need to honor those who fall after the battle too.”