A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that war has a lasting impact on civilian sleep, even among those not directly exposed to combat. Published in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, the research highlights significant disruptions to sleep patterns among Israelis during the 2023 to 2024 Israel and Hamas war, with effects persisting six months into the conflict. The findings point to sleep as a critical yet often overlooked component of civilian mental health during wartime.
Using data from a national survey by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics and additional representative samples, the researchers found a notable increase in sleep disturbances. These included a rise in insomnia, shorter sleep duration, and greater reliance on sleep medication. While general psychological distress declined over time, sleep problems continued, indicating that the effects of war on rest may reflect longer-term consequences of living under continuous threat.
The study documented a marked increase in insomnia symptoms. It found a nineteen to twenty-two percent rise in the prevalence of short sleep, defined as fewer than six hours per night. There was also a sixteen to nineteen percent increase in clinically significant insomnia and a four to five percent increase in the use of sleep medication. Women and individuals with higher exposure to trauma were more severely affected, pointing to particular vulnerabilities within the population.
“This research underscores that war reaches far beyond the battlefield,” the researchers said. “Even those not in direct danger face deep and lasting impacts. Sleepless nights are among them. 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 study was conducted by Professor Shoham Choshen-Hillel and Dr Uri Zak of the Hebrew University Business School and the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, along with Professor Hagit Hochner of the Hadassah Hebrew University School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and Professor Alex Gileles-Hillel of Hadassah Medical Center and Hebrew University. Their research contributes to a growing body of work on the psychological and physiological toll of conflict on civilians.
Their findings align with reports from other conflict zones, including Ukraine and Syria, which have also shown increased rates of insomnia and anxiety among affected populations. However, the Hebrew University study distinguishes itself by isolating sleep as a separate and measurable consequence, rather than grouping it with broader psychological distress. This distinction matters, as sleep disturbances can worsen other health problems, such as depression, cardiovascular disease and compromised immune function, according to the World Health Organization.
Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center remain central to ongoing research into the civilian impacts of war and trauma. Their data offer insight into how public health strategies can adapt to address less visible but persistent harms. Targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and public education on sleep hygiene, could help alleviate stress-related disruptions.
The researchers advocate for further studies on how sleep-focused treatments can be incorporated into wartime health responses. They also call on policymakers to recognise the hidden toll of conflict on sleep. As conflicts continue to affect millions, understanding the full range of their consequences remains a critical task.
