The residents of the Negev and David Ben-Gurion appointed Shaul Avigur instead, without Sarig's knowledge.

After Avigur toured the Negev, he told Ben-Gurion that he would not be able to command the brigade, citing deteriorating health, and praised Sarig.

Yigal Allon then named Haim Bar-Lev as the commander of the southern sector—the 8th Battalion.

[2] The Palmach memorial website records the names of 312 of its members who died while in the Negev Brigade.

[3] During the 1948 war, the Negev Brigade was involved in the defence of Negba, Kafr Daron, Be'erot Yitzhak and Nirim.