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PM 'says Israel pre-planned war' | PM 'says Israel pre-planned war' |
(1 day later) | |
Israel's prime minister has said that the strategy used in last year's war with Lebanon was drawn up months in advance, an Israeli newspaper reports. | Israel's prime minister has said that the strategy used in last year's war with Lebanon was drawn up months in advance, an Israeli newspaper reports. |
According to Haaretz, Ehud Olmert said it was decided at least four months before that any kidnap of Israeli troops on its border would trigger war. | According to Haaretz, Ehud Olmert said it was decided at least four months before that any kidnap of Israeli troops on its border would trigger war. |
On 12 July 2006 Hezbollah militants seized two Israeli soldiers sparking an all-out assault by Israel's military. | On 12 July 2006 Hezbollah militants seized two Israeli soldiers sparking an all-out assault by Israel's military. |
Mr Olmert reportedly made the claim to an inquiry last month. | Mr Olmert reportedly made the claim to an inquiry last month. |
The Winograd Commission is an Israeli government-appointed commission tasked with investigating last summer's conflict with Lebanon and identifying lessons to be learned from it. | The Winograd Commission is an Israeli government-appointed commission tasked with investigating last summer's conflict with Lebanon and identifying lessons to be learned from it. |
It is expected to release its interim report this month. | It is expected to release its interim report this month. |
Knee-jerk reaction? | Knee-jerk reaction? |
Mr Olmert testified before the commission on 1 February. Haaretz did not reveal how it uncovered details of that testimony. | Mr Olmert testified before the commission on 1 February. Haaretz did not reveal how it uncovered details of that testimony. |
About 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, died in the 34 days of fighting along with 116 Israeli soldiers and 43 civilians. | |
The war began within hours of reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev being captured by Hezbollah in a cross border raid into Israel. | The war began within hours of reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev being captured by Hezbollah in a cross border raid into Israel. |
WAR IN LEBANON Began on 12 July 2006 and lasted 34 daysIsraeli deaths: 116 soldiers and 43 civiliansAbout 1,000 Lebanese killed, mostly civiliansExtensive damage to infrastructure, thousands of homes destroyed Conflict facts and figures | WAR IN LEBANON Began on 12 July 2006 and lasted 34 daysIsraeli deaths: 116 soldiers and 43 civiliansAbout 1,000 Lebanese killed, mostly civiliansExtensive damage to infrastructure, thousands of homes destroyed Conflict facts and figures |
But it ended without Israel achieving its main aim, the release of the two soldiers. | But it ended without Israel achieving its main aim, the release of the two soldiers. |
Mr Olmert has borne much of the blame for that failure, with critics accusing him of reacting too hastily with a knee-jerk military strategy which had not been properly thought through. | Mr Olmert has borne much of the blame for that failure, with critics accusing him of reacting too hastily with a knee-jerk military strategy which had not been properly thought through. |
But if the Haaretz report is correct, Mr Olmert said that in fact the plans had been in place for a long time. | But if the Haaretz report is correct, Mr Olmert said that in fact the plans had been in place for a long time. |
According to the newspaper, Mr Olmert said he held several high-level meetings on the situation in Lebanon - the first on 8 January 2006, just four days after he took over from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was in a coma following a massive stroke. | According to the newspaper, Mr Olmert said he held several high-level meetings on the situation in Lebanon - the first on 8 January 2006, just four days after he took over from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was in a coma following a massive stroke. |
Mr Olmert reportedly told the commission that at a meeting in March he asked whether any plans existed about how Israel should react in the event of one of its soldiers being taken across its northern border. | Mr Olmert reportedly told the commission that at a meeting in March he asked whether any plans existed about how Israel should react in the event of one of its soldiers being taken across its northern border. |
He is said to have claimed that he looked at the various strategies tabled and decided that a plan, which Haaretz described as "moderate", of air strikes and a limited ground operation would be best. | He is said to have claimed that he looked at the various strategies tabled and decided that a plan, which Haaretz described as "moderate", of air strikes and a limited ground operation would be best. |
Polls slump | Polls slump |
Mr Olmert is also reported to have said that he believes in the event he acted as his predecessor Mr Sharon, a man with far greater military experience, would have done. | Mr Olmert is also reported to have said that he believes in the event he acted as his predecessor Mr Sharon, a man with far greater military experience, would have done. |
Along with criticism over its handling of the Lebanon crisis, Mr Olmert's government has been beset by a number of political and financial scandals. | Along with criticism over its handling of the Lebanon crisis, Mr Olmert's government has been beset by a number of political and financial scandals. |
In two new opinion polls released in Israel on Thursday the prime minister fared badly. | In two new opinion polls released in Israel on Thursday the prime minister fared badly. |
In one by Israel's Channel 10 television, 72% said they believed Mr Olmert should not continue in office and 57% favoured holding early elections. | In one by Israel's Channel 10 television, 72% said they believed Mr Olmert should not continue in office and 57% favoured holding early elections. |
And in an opinion poll for the mass-circulation newspaper Yediot Aharonot, just 2% of respondents said that they trusted the current leader. | And in an opinion poll for the mass-circulation newspaper Yediot Aharonot, just 2% of respondents said that they trusted the current leader. |
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