IDF intel. analysis chief from Oct. 7 resigning due to cancer diagnosis

• Published date: 04 April 2024
• Author: YONAH JEREMY BOB
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

According to the IDF, Saar started to feel seriously ill a few weeks ago and was finally diagnosed with the cancer recently and updated the IDF that he must resign to undergo treatment

In mid-March, Saar told a closed military intelligence conference that he would resign from his post upon publication of the IDF's impending probe of the October 7 failures, which is set for June.

Saar is the most senior Israeli official to date to resign, although IDF sources said that he was due to finish his role anyway over the summer.

Former IDF intelligence analysis chief Itai Brun, who had the role from 2011-2015, has replaced Saar on an emergency and temporary basis for the coming months until the IDF considers the issue of a permanent replacement.

Who will take on the role permanently?

A permanent replacement will be controversial because some political officials will oppose the current IDF high command choosing such a key replacement when some of those high command officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi halevi are themselves expected to resign sometime in 2024

Previously, the top intelligence officer in the Southern Command, Col. "A," as well as a mid-level IDF intelligence major, resigned on October 7. The IDF Col. also resigned due to an inappropriate romantic relationship with a subordinate.

At higher levels, Halevi, IDF Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar all previously hinted several months ago that they would resign but never gave a timeframe, and since...