“Amit was an officer and commander of the highest caliber, a leader who led from the front with a deep sense of mission and unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel.”
By The IDF Club
A senior intelligence officer who led the IDF’s Research Division through some of the most challenging periods in Israel’s recent history, including the October 7 massacre, passed away Thursday morning following a prolonged illness.
Brig. Gen. Amit Saar, 47, served as head of the Research Division in the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) from October 2020 until April 2024, playing a central role in Israel’s intelligence assessments during a period marked by war, national crisis, and unprecedented security challenges.
During his tenure, Saar oversaw intelligence analysis during the October 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent War of Revival, guiding the Research Division through complex operational and strategic demands. He concluded his service after a medical diagnosis required him to begin immediate treatment.
Saar is survived by his wife, three children, his mother, and three sisters.
His funeral will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., at the Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, along with the General Staff Forum, senior commanders, and soldiers across the IDF, expressed deep sorrow over Saar’s passing and paid tribute to his years of service and contribution to Israel’s security.
“The entire IDF bows its head in mourning at the passing of Brig. Gen. Amit Saar,” Zamir said. “Amit was an officer and commander of the highest caliber, a leader who led from the front with a deep sense of mission and unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel. We honor his many years of contribution to Military Intelligence and to the defense establishment.”
Zamir added that the IDF stands with Saar’s family in their time of grief, extending condolences on behalf of the entire military.
Brig. Gen. Saar’s career spanned decades of service in Israel’s intelligence community. Colleagues described him as a dedicated professional whose work left a lasting imprint on the IDF and on Israel’s national security during one of the most difficult chapters in the country’s history.
