The committee was appointed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz (photo above) to investigate the incident in which soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser fell into Hizbullah hands where they remain until today. Since taken captive, no signs of life have been received from them, though it is believed they are still among the living.
The inquiry, headed by reserve duty Maj.-Gen. Doron Almog, recommended that Commander of Galilee Forces Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch, 41, be ousted from the military for his role in the failures. The kidnapping of the soldiers along with bombardment of Israel's northern towns led to the Lebanon war in July.
Shortly after learning of the inquiry’s decision, pressure was exerted on the panel members to reverse their conclusion. Almog backed down from his call to oust Hirsch and reduced the committee's recommendation to a reprimand and a decision not to appoint him to any senior command post in the coming years.
According to a report in the daily Ma’ariv, Almog is now at odds with the other committee members, who remain steadfast in their decision to oust Hirsch.
Hirsch's immediate superior at the time, Northern Commander Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam, has already submitted his resignation from the IDF, accepting responsibility for the failures in the war.
A second investigative committee has revealed major failures on the part of naval personnel regarding a war-time incident in which an Iranian ground-to-sea missile stuck an Israel Navy vessel. Four crew members on board were killed in the Friday night, July 14th incident. Heading the investigation is reserve duty Brig.-Gen. Nir Maor.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz told military correspondents at the time that the possibility of a missile attack was a real one, yet the naval vessel was not at full alert status at the time of the attack.
An officer of the rank of captain also reportedly turned off an electronic defense system for reasons investigators admit remain a mystery at this time. The decision, according to information released by investigators, was his alone, and was not handed down from senior commanders.
Regarding the captive soldiers Goldwasser and Regev, the Arab media continue to report on “imminent deals” and “progress” towards obtaining their release in a prisoner exchange deal, but no such statement is being released by official sources in Jerusalem.
A letter was recently sent to the Vatican by Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, calling on Pope Benedict XVI to contact Hizbullah and attempt to obtain a sign that the two are alive.
The pope responded, admitting he too has been unsuccessful in obtaining a true sign of life, conveying his prayers and good wishes for the soldiers’ safe return home. The same holds true regarding efforts by International Red Cross officials, who have attempted to arrange a humanitarian visit with the soldiers. Hizbullah terrorists insist they will not release any additional information regarding the soldiers' conditions until a deal is reached.
The inquiry, headed by reserve duty Maj.-Gen. Doron Almog, recommended that Commander of Galilee Forces Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch, 41, be ousted from the military for his role in the failures. The kidnapping of the soldiers along with bombardment of Israel's northern towns led to the Lebanon war in July.
Shortly after learning of the inquiry’s decision, pressure was exerted on the panel members to reverse their conclusion. Almog backed down from his call to oust Hirsch and reduced the committee's recommendation to a reprimand and a decision not to appoint him to any senior command post in the coming years.
According to a report in the daily Ma’ariv, Almog is now at odds with the other committee members, who remain steadfast in their decision to oust Hirsch.
Hirsch's immediate superior at the time, Northern Commander Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam, has already submitted his resignation from the IDF, accepting responsibility for the failures in the war.
A second investigative committee has revealed major failures on the part of naval personnel regarding a war-time incident in which an Iranian ground-to-sea missile stuck an Israel Navy vessel. Four crew members on board were killed in the Friday night, July 14th incident. Heading the investigation is reserve duty Brig.-Gen. Nir Maor.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz told military correspondents at the time that the possibility of a missile attack was a real one, yet the naval vessel was not at full alert status at the time of the attack.
An officer of the rank of captain also reportedly turned off an electronic defense system for reasons investigators admit remain a mystery at this time. The decision, according to information released by investigators, was his alone, and was not handed down from senior commanders.
Regarding the captive soldiers Goldwasser and Regev, the Arab media continue to report on “imminent deals” and “progress” towards obtaining their release in a prisoner exchange deal, but no such statement is being released by official sources in Jerusalem.
A letter was recently sent to the Vatican by Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, calling on Pope Benedict XVI to contact Hizbullah and attempt to obtain a sign that the two are alive.
The pope responded, admitting he too has been unsuccessful in obtaining a true sign of life, conveying his prayers and good wishes for the soldiers’ safe return home. The same holds true regarding efforts by International Red Cross officials, who have attempted to arrange a humanitarian visit with the soldiers. Hizbullah terrorists insist they will not release any additional information regarding the soldiers' conditions until a deal is reached.