Alwaght- Brigadier General Amit Sa'ar, head of the Military Intelligence Directorate's (Aman) Research Division, has formally handed in his resignation letter, citing personal reasons, according to Israel Hayom newspaper.
Israeli sources said Sa'ar cited his cancer as the reason for his early resignation, reported Al-Mayadeen.
Brigadier General Sa'ar is expected to make an official announcement in a few days after he discusses the decision with Israeli Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi and Aharon Ahliva, the head of Aman. According to the Israeli media outlet, the IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) will not appoint a permanent replacement but rather resort to an interim chief.
It is worth noting the IOF's chief has faced backlash from the political command for shifting and promoting officers within the occupation military structure.
The head of the Research Division had been serving in the position since October 2020, however, the start of his third year was marked with arguably the worst Israeli intelligence and military "catastrophe", namely the October 7 attack of Hamas, officially dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm that left many Israelis killed and hundreds captivated.
Israel Hayom says that Sa'ar is considered to be an expert on the
"Palestinian arena" with a specialty in Hamas' affairs in Gaza, marking the gravity of his department's assessment of the situation.
At least two others left their positions vacant in the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate, including Colonel A, who was dismissed for allegedly having a relationship with a subordinate officer, and a Lieutenant Colonel who asked to end his role.
Since October 7, a number of cabinet officials left the Netanyahu-led coalition. The latest one was Gideon Saar, a canine minister and leader of New Hope party, left on March 23 in Protest at not being included in war cabinet.
He also cited differences with Netanyahu over his Gaza strategy for his departure. His quitting did not pose immediate risk to the coalition government, but his move could inspire more resignations that could bring the cabinet to a collapse.
