On October 7, under relentless enemy fire, Captain Sahar Saoudian commanded the Iron Dome interception system in the southern sector. At just 21 years old, Sahar intercepted over two hundred rockets—a record unparalleled in the system’s history. Despite the clear and present danger, she chose to continue fighting and carrying out her mission—until she fell in battle, defending her home, her family, and her people.
“I don’t care what you think, I will be an officer”
Sahar grew up in Rosh HaAyin and demonstrated extraordinary responsibility from an early age. Rather than her parents preparing her sandwiches for school, she would rise early and prepare lunchboxes for them to take to work. Her love for the land of Israel burned within her from childhood. After Operation Protective Edge, at the age of 12, she decided to dedicate her life to defending the residents of the south. “I wanted to be there for them,” she said.
Sahar fought for her place in the Iron Dome corps and persisted throughout training. Although she failed the branch specialization phase of Officer Training School, she refused to abandon her dream. Standing determined before the dismissal committee, she declared: “I don’t care what you think, I will be an officer.” Her love for her soldiers was tangible, as recalled by her subordinates and comrades. She would remove her ranks to speak at eye level and made sure to give each soldier personal and caring attention.
Her Final Act of Heroism
On that difficult battle day, Simchat Torah, after long hours of interceptions, the battery’s launchers ran empty. Sahar knew there were terrorists in the area, but she refused to stop. As she made her way to rearm the launchers, she encountered terrorists—and fell alongside two of her soldiers. Sahar gave her life defending the land she so dearly loved and found joy in. “This is really her legacy,” her family says, “to continue celebrating life, knowing that she is watching over us.”
