Israel's Army Chief Acknowledges Mistakes

Israel's Army Chief Acknowledges Mistakes
By Michael F. Haverluck
CBNNews.com

CBNNews.com -- JERUSALEM -- Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz acknowledged to reporters Tuesday that Israel was unsuccessful in meeting its goals in the war last summer against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Halutz refused requests to resign and asserted that Hezbollah endured extensive losses at the hands of Israeli forces, which killed "hundreds of terrorists," in the conflict. No decisive victor emerged from the war, which ended in 34 days with a cease-fire.

"We were not successful in reducing the short-range rocket fire on Israel's north until the cease-fire," admitted Halutz as he addressed internal and external inquiries into the short conflict.

Some 4,000 rockets were launched by Hezbollah at Israel during the summer war.

Halutz's resignation can be forced by a government-appointed committee investigating the conflict and its outcome.

When asked about the possibility of his stepping down, Halutz commented that he has no desire to walk away and would like to "correct what can be corrected." He added that leaving now would be nothing less than "running away."

Halutz noted, "I have not heard my superiors calling on me to resign," but insisted that "If they do, I will respond."

A former chief of staff concluded that objectives in the conflict were loosely set before pointing out mistakes made in the command centers, Halutz told reporters.

"There were cases in which officers did not carry out their assignments, and cases in which officers objected on moral grounds to their orders," commented Halutz, who seemed to be referring to dissent against military advances on towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

Halutz also indicated that diplomatic means should be used to free the two Israeli soldiers captured in a cross-border Hezbollah raid rather than military maneuvers.

Longer annual service and better training of reservists should be implemented in order for Israel's forces to become stronger, declared Halutz. He also mentioned that the government could suspend the enforcing of a plan to shorten the term of regular service, which is currently designated at three years.

The U.N. Security Council's resolution set up a "beefed-up" peacekeeping force in Southern Lebanon at the end of the war with Hezbollah on August 14. It was determined to keep the area free of armed forces.

Israeli and Hezbollah forces combined for more than 1,000 casualties. The number was compiled by the U.N., Israeli and Lebanese officials.

Israel suffered 159 fatalities, which includes 39 civilian deaths from rocket attacks.

Even though Israel lists the number of Hezbollah fighter casualties at 600, Hezbollah reports that its losses are closer to 250.

Source: Associated Press
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