General who headed key IDF intelligence unit on October 7 dies at 47
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said Amit Sa'ar, who died of cancer, served 'with deep pain and piercing self-criticism that were always evident on his face'
Brig. Gen. Amit Sa'ar appointed as head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate's Research Department, in 2020. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Brig. Gen. Amit Sa'ar appointed as head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate's Research Department, in 2020. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
12:55 PM • January 01 2026 IST
Brig. Gen. Amit Sa'ar, who was head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate's Research Department at the time of the October 7 massacre, died overnight into Thursday at the age of 47.
Sa'ar announced his retirement from the IDF in April after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor requiring immediate treatment.
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said Sa'ar was "a dedicated and talented officer whose service in military intelligence was long and important."
He "looked at the failure with courage, took responsibility for it, and continued with intelligence operations critical to the continuation of the war after the colossal failure" on October 7.
Sa'ar served "with deep pain and piercing self-criticism that were always evident on his face," Eisenkot added.
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