Due to a malignant tumor: Head of the Research Division at the Military Intelligence Department resigned from his position

April 4, 2024   

The head of the research division at the Military Intelligence Directorate, Brigadier General Amit Saar, has terminated his position immediately after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor that requires urgent medical treatment. Saar had already announced his intention to retire last week and had discussed this with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Head of Military Intelligence Directorate Aharon Haliva, as well as with other officials. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi appointed, with the approval of Defense Minister Yoav Galant, a lieutenant colonel to the position of research lieutenant colonel in his place. The officer will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general and will take up the position in a few months. At this stage, his place will be taken by Brigadier General (res.) Itai Brun, who served as head of the research division in the Intelligence Directorate between 2011-2015, and was then deputy head of the Institute for National Security Studies. He has been serving in the reserves in the research division since the first day of the war, and is familiar with the intelligence picture. Immediately after Black Sabbath, Brigadier General Saar made it clear to his commanders and subordinates that he bears full responsibility for the failure and that he intends to end his position. However, as stated, his retirement at this time is for medical reasons only. The IDF says that Brigadier General Saar is a highly respected officer who has contributed greatly to the security of the State of Israel, even in these days of war. It was also said that the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, cherishes his many years of work in the IDF, and his lifelong commitment to the security of the citizens of the State of Israel. In a letter he sent to his subordinates, Sa'ar wrote: "In recent years, leading the research division has been my life's mission. I felt to a large extent that my professional and personal life path had led me to this point. I woke up every day with a sense of enormous responsibility and at the same time with the feeling that I had with me a wonderful group of special, committed people who give everything they have for the good of the people and the state." Regarding October 7, he wrote: "In recent months, we have all experienced, and I am at the top of your list, a deep shock. We did not live up to what was expected of us, what we expect of ourselves. From my first conversation with the division after October 7, even before we had clarified the first detail, I made it clear that in the world of values ​​in which I live, I intend to take responsibility. We will clarify and question every detail, every assessment we have published, every flag we have raised, but first of all we will stand up with a commanding statement of values. "In recent months, I have outlined something else - the absolute commitment of our people, the sacrifice, the creativity, the initiative. Soldiers, commanders, and commanders who give everything they have to win every waking second. I am immensely proud of you. Recovering from defeat is evidence that we have the ability to build and repair. "In recent days, a personal shock has crept into the national upheaval for me. I received news that I will be forced to deal with a health condition that will require me to end my duties immediately and concentrate all my forces to fight. I am confident that the responsibility will be given to worthy hands." He added: "In every conversation about command that I have had, with every forum, I have set before you the only condition that is unbreakable, the condition that if you do not meet it, you are in the wrong profession: you must love your subordinates, protect them, and lead them with respect and faith in the powers that lie within them. I love you, believe in you, and am always there for you.".