BREAKING NEWS

IDF general named as pilot killed in plane crash in northern Israel

By JPOST.COM STAFF

MARCH 25, 2016 18:01

Updated: MARCH 27, 2016 03:44

The head of the Civil Administration for Judea and Samaria, Brig.-Gen. Munir Amar, was killed in a plane crash in northern Israel near Misgav on Friday.

Friends and fellow IDF officers mourned Amar’s death, expressing shock over the crash.

A senior Israeli Druse officer, Amar, 47, had taken up his position in February. He had been piloting a private civilian light aircraft when the crash occurred and was alone in the plane.

His aircraft departed from Haifa and crashed about a quarter of an hour after takeoff, according to an initial investigation.

The Israel Airports Authority said it had lost contact with the aircraft in the Lower Galilee on Friday, causing police and the IDF’s 669 rescue unit to immediately begin a search.

Less than an hour later, the aircraft was located on the southern side of Mount Kamon with Amar’s lifeless body.

Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai, head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit, said he and the officers and soldiers of the unit are in mourning after learning of the crash. They described Amar as a valued officer and commander.

“With much sorrow and shock, I learned of Brig.-Gen.Munir Amar’s death,” Mordechai said. “In the short time that he fulfilled his role, I got to know a first class person, ethical and modest, who was guided by a love of the land and a love of humanity. His uniqueness and character caused his subordinates to follow him throughout the years, during which, he held a series of senior roles on the front line of security activity on behalf of the State of Israel.

“Our hearts are with the family, and we will continue to accompany and hug them during these difficult moments,” Mordechai added.

Previously, Munir was head of the Haifa District in the IDF Home Front Command.

Munir began his military service Druse Herev battalion, which he went on to command between 2004 and 2006. He later served as deputy commander of the Samaria territorial brigade, the Operations Branch officer of the Galilee Formation, and the operations officer of the Northern Command.

In 2009, he became commander of the Hermon Brigade, and in 2012, he began studies at the National Defense College.

He leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.

Julie Steigerwald contributed to this report.

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