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Israel probe finds war 'failure' Israel probe finds war 'failure'
(20 minutes later)
Israel's 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon was a "large and serious" failure, according to an Israeli government-appointed inquiry.Israel's 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon was a "large and serious" failure, according to an Israeli government-appointed inquiry.
"We found grave failings in decision-making... both on the military and political levels," said the inquiry's chairman Eliyahu Winograd."We found grave failings in decision-making... both on the military and political levels," said the inquiry's chairman Eliyahu Winograd.
PM Ehud Olmert has insisted he will not step down despite the findings.PM Ehud Olmert has insisted he will not step down despite the findings.
However, strong criticism could put pressure on partners in his governing coalition to pull out, analysts say.However, strong criticism could put pressure on partners in his governing coalition to pull out, analysts say.
Retired senior judge Eliyahu Winograd handed Mr Olmert a copy of the report, nine months after his interim report condemned "severe failures" at the start of the 34-day war.
Mr Olmert was given approximately an hour to review the Winograd report before its findings were made public at a news conference at 1800 (1600 GMT).
The final report deals with the war's conclusion, including a controversial offensive against Hezbollah fighters hours before a truce came into effect.The final report deals with the war's conclusion, including a controversial offensive against Hezbollah fighters hours before a truce came into effect.
Hostilities broke out in July 2006, when the Hezbollah fighters captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross border raid that left three other soldiers dead. Retired senior judge Mr Winograd handed Mr Olmert a copy of the report, nine months after his interim report condemned "severe failures" at the start of the 34-day war.
Mr Olmert was given approximately an hour to review the Winograd report before its findings were made public at a news conference at 1800 (1600 GMT).
Last-minute attack
"Entering into the war without an exit strategy was a grave failure," Mr Winograd told a packed news conference in Jerusalem.
There has been considerable interest among Israelis about a last-minute ground offensive in the hours before a UN-brokered ceasefire, in which 33 Israeli soldiers were killed.
The engagement did not improve Israel's position and there were "serious failings" in army command, the judge said.
Hostilities broke out in July 2006, when Hezbollah fighters captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross border raid that left three other soldiers dead.
In the conflict that followed, more than 1,000 Lebanese died, mostly civilians, along with 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.In the conflict that followed, more than 1,000 Lebanese died, mostly civilians, along with 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.