International   

Israel mulling fresh offensive

Atul Aneja

Paratroopers write open letter, call for probe into failure of leadership

DUBAI: Stung by the growing criticism about the conduct of its war with Hizbollah, the Israeli military establishment has begun to consider the "next round" of a possible conflict. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said at a recent Cabinet meeting, "We will examine the issues that have been pointed out as failures." He added that Israel was duty bound "to prepare for the next round."

There has been mounting internal criticism about the quality of political and military leadership shown by Israel during the month-long war.

On Monday, troops of the Spearhead Paratroop Brigade, which participated in the war, said in an open letter that the leadership had shown "indecisiveness" during the campaign. The letter published by the Israeli daily Haaretz, said indecision "manifested itself in inaction, in not carrying out operational plans, and in cancelling all the missions we were given during the fighting." The petition said, "This led to prolonged stays in hostile territory without an operational purpose and out of unprofessional considerations, without seeking to engage in combat with the enemy."

These troops that are part of the army reserves called for "a thorough and worthy investigative commission under the auspices of the state."

Such a panel, if instituted, was expected to have more powers, including the jurisdiction to investigate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Cabinet members. The Defence Ministry is currently conducting an inquiry into the conduct of the war. With an eye on the future, the Israeli leadership has been focusing on ways to prevent Hizbollah from rearming. Mr. Olmert is seeking a larger contingent of Italian troops in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is being reconstituted.

On Sunday, Mr. Olmert told his Italian counterpart, Romano Prodi, that he hoped Italy would lead the U.N. forces. The request for Italian troops came after France did not live up to earlier expectations of sending a large number of troops.

Mr. Olmert requested that some of the Italian troops be stationed at the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, which has been accused of funnelling weapons to Hizbollah.

Israel is also attempting to curb the overseas supply of Russian weaponry for Hizbollah.

The Lebanon war has also triggered considerable dissonance in the Israeli Government.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter has advocated considering trading the occupied Golan Heights in order to foster a durable peace deal with Syria.

Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres however, said the proposal was ill-timed, while hardliner Israeli politicians have rejected it outright.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Saddam refuses to enter plea at genocide trial
11 charged for `plot' under Britain's terror laws
Rajapakse sets terms for truce
Israel mulling fresh offensive
Europe ponders stricter security measures
Joins race for Premier
Hillary's star rising: poll
Blast kills eight at Moscow market
The Coleridge archives lives
58 die as trains collide
U.S. re-classifying information on missile data
Musharraf's remark brings up awkward question

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu