IDF intelligence analysis chief Brig.-Gen. Amit Saar will resign his post once the IDF publishes its probe of the October 7 intelligence failures, set for June, he announced on Wednesday at a closed military intelligence conference.
Saar is the most senior Israeli official to date to give an exact time frame for when he will resign, in a show of responsibility, although military sources said he was due to finish his role anyway over the summer.
Previously, a mid-level IDF intelligence major resigned.
At higher levels, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aharon Haliva, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar all previously hinted several months ago that they would resign, but never gave a time frame and, since then, some have speculated that one or more of them may try to stay on given that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to stay on.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant previously went further than Netanyahu, who has denied any responsibility for October 7, by taking some responsibility, but not hinting at whether he would resign.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi seen on October 11, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Saar’s statement was leaked first by KAN late Wednesday night but was independently confirmed by The Jerusalem Post.
IDF general calls on politicians to be ‘worthy’ of sacrifices
It came only hours after Brig.-Gen. Dan Goldfus called on the country’s leaders to be “worthy” of the many soldiers’ sacrifices, falling in battle.
Until October 7, Saar was considered a brilliant analyst who had correctly predicted a variety of trends with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
Saar also sent Netanyahu four letters warning that Israeli adversaries might more aggressively attack Israel due to the defense establishment being weakened by the judicial overhaul debate initiated by Netanyahu.
Netanyahu ignored most of the letters and the fourth letter was due to be sent to him shortly after October 7.
Saar’s announcement and the June probe results could set off a wider round of resignations.