New study finds that war has a profound and lasting impact on civilian sleep, even among those not directly exposed to combat. Across four large-scale studies, researchers found sharp increases in insomnia, short sleep duration, and reliance on sleep medication among the Israeli population during the 2023–2024 Israel–Hamas war. These sleep disruptions persisted even six months into the conflict, despite a decrease in reported psychological distress—suggesting that the effects on sleep are not just immediate reactions to acute stress, but may represent longer-term consequences of living under sustained threat. The study also identified particularly vulnerable groups, including women and individuals with higher exposure to trauma, who experienced more severe sleep impairments. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing sleep as a critical component of civilian health during times of war and ensuring that it is addressed in both emergency and long-term public health strategies.

A new study led by Prof. Shoham Choshen-Hillel and Dr. Uri Zak of the Hebrew University Business School and the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, Prof. Hagit Hochner of the Hadassah–Hebrew University School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and Prof. Alex Gileles-Hillel of Hadassah Medical Center and Hebrew University, reveals a significant decline in sleep quality among the Israeli civilian population following the outbreak of the 2023–2024 Israel–Hamas war.

Published in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, the study titled “Tired of War: Changes in the Sleep of the Israeli Civilian Population in the Wake of the Israel-Hamas War” is among the first to document the broad impact of warfare on the sleep health of civilians, rather than military personnel.

The research, based on four studies and thousands of data points, shows a sharp rise in insomnia and sleep disturbances among Israelis during the conflict. Drawing on a national survey by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics and additional representative samples, the researchers found:

• A marked increase in insomnia symptoms during the war.
• A 19–22% rise in the prevalence of short sleep (less than 6 hours per night).
• A 16–19% increase in clinically significant insomnia.
• A 4–5% increase in the use of sleep medication.

The majority of these effects persisted for at least six months, even as psychological distress among respondents declined, indicating that war-related sleep disruptions may have long-term consequences.

The studies further highlight that women and individuals with greater exposure to trauma were more severely affected.

“This research underscores that war reaches far beyond the battlefield,” said the researchers “Even those not in direct danger face deep and lasting impacts—sleepless nights being among them.”

They added, “Understanding how war affects sleep can help policymakers and health professionals support civilian populations through and beyond conflict. Sleep is not a luxury—it is essential for coping, healing, and resilience.”

The Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center continue to be at the forefront of research into the psychological and physiological impacts of war and trauma, offering data-driven insights to guide national and global responses to civilian mental health in times of crisis.