Olmert Accepts Blame For Operation's 'Failings'
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday acknowledged mistakes in the war against Hezbollah as the Israeli government confronted widespread criticism and political recriminations over the conflict.
The anguish, disappointment and confusion are widespread among soldiers who believe their leadership sent them to war unprepared, among residents of northern Israel who say their government abandoned its most vulnerable citizens, and among a public that believes its prime minister has left them open to future attack by agreeing to a cease-fire many think is not permanent.
First Sgt. Dima Gurevich, a 22-year-old reserve soldier in a tank unit, returned from southern Lebanon this weekend feeling anything but victorious after coming under attack by Hezbollah fighters.
"I do not think I was properly prepared and trained for this operation," he said from his bed in the hospital where he was being treated for cuts. "We did not have a good assessment of their capabilities. Tanks and armored personnel vehicles are being hammered by their antitank missiles. It's unconceivable that soldiers are being sent to battle in Lebanon not knowing what to expect."
When Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi, the head of the Israeli military's logistics branch, was asked Monday about the complaints of many soldiers that they did not have enough food to eat during the combat operations, he told Israel's Army Radio: "If our fighters deep in Lebanese territory are left without food or water, I believe they can break into local Lebanese stores to solve that problem." washington post
The anguish, disappointment and confusion are widespread among soldiers who believe their leadership sent them to war unprepared, among residents of northern Israel who say their government abandoned its most vulnerable citizens, and among a public that believes its prime minister has left them open to future attack by agreeing to a cease-fire many think is not permanent.
First Sgt. Dima Gurevich, a 22-year-old reserve soldier in a tank unit, returned from southern Lebanon this weekend feeling anything but victorious after coming under attack by Hezbollah fighters.
"I do not think I was properly prepared and trained for this operation," he said from his bed in the hospital where he was being treated for cuts. "We did not have a good assessment of their capabilities. Tanks and armored personnel vehicles are being hammered by their antitank missiles. It's unconceivable that soldiers are being sent to battle in Lebanon not knowing what to expect."
When Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi, the head of the Israeli military's logistics branch, was asked Monday about the complaints of many soldiers that they did not have enough food to eat during the combat operations, he told Israel's Army Radio: "If our fighters deep in Lebanese territory are left without food or water, I believe they can break into local Lebanese stores to solve that problem." washington post
IDF didn't gain anything but failure
I Hope that Israeli leaders got the lesson well Bombing civilians is not the way to solve their problems
I Hope that Israeli leaders got the lesson well Bombing civilians is not the way to solve their problems
