World

Israeli Probe On Lebanon War Slams PM

April 30, 2007 / 1:29 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A long-awaited government probe into last year's war in Lebanon on Monday accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of a "severe failure" in his handling of the conflict, dealing a harsh blow that further weakened the embattled Israeli leader.

Members of the parliament, the Knesset, across Israel's political spectrum are demanding that resign, reports CBS News correspondent Robert Berger.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press, said Olmert acted hastily in leading the country into war last July 12 without having a comprehensive plan. The war broke out after Hezbollah guerrillas killed three soldiers and captured two others in a cross-border raid.

The report cited a "severe failure in the lack of judgment, responsibility and caution."

In other developments:

Israel's top general says an invasion of the Gaza Strip is just a matter of time. Reports Berger. Army chief Gabi Ashkenazi says a major offensive in Gaza is inevitable. Briefing the Cabinet, Ashkenazi said the ruling Palestinian militant group Hamas is smuggling in massive amounts of sophisticated weapons from Egypt, is building an army and is getting more involved in rocket and bomb attacks against Israel. He said the only way to deal with this threat is to send in ground forces.

The ruling Palestinian militant group Hamas says it is preparing for war with Israel. The supreme leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, says there will be a third Palestinian uprising unless Israel stops military action in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Mashaal told a Palestinian newspaper that there will be a huge explosion effecting the entire region, and especially Israel. Hamas already holds one Israeli soldier, and Mashaal promised to kidnap more to win the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

After signing off years ago because of a lack of funds, Sesame Street is back in Israel and the Palestinian territories, reports

. "Rechov Sumsum," the Israeli version, features a Muppet of Arab origin for the first time. The Palestinian counterpart, "Shara'a Simsim," seeks to offer positive role models to boys in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Olmert, after receiving a copy of the panel's findings, said Monday that "failures will be remedied."

The report was being released officially later Monday.

More than 4,000 rockets crashed into Israel during the war, but the mighty Israeli army failed to deal a knockout blow to some 5,000 Hezbollah guerrillas in South Lebanon.

"The political level, the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, they carry the major burden of the fiasco of the Second Lebanese War. They should resign," said former defense minister Moshe Arens.

But Olmert's aides say he will not resign.

"I am sure that the commission's report will not prevent him from leading the country and leading the government," said Tzachi Hanegbi of the Olmert's Kadima party. "I am convinced that the decisions that he made were the right ones.

The inquiry commission sees things differently. It concludes that Olmert failed to question the army's battle plans, publicly stated his war aims without ensuring that they were attainable and did not have an exit strategy.

If he stays in power, analysts believe he will be weak and ineffective, reports Berger.

Olmert and his defense minister, Amir Peretz, who took office with limited security experience less than two months before the war, already had lost much of their public support because of the conflict, launched when Hezbollah guerrillas captured two soldiers and killed three others in a cross-border raid on July 12.

Relying heavily on massive air strikes recommended by the military chief, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, Olmert pledged to his people that Israel would crush Hezbollah and force return of the captured soldiers. Neither goal was accomplished, and Halutz already has resigned.

In 34 days of fighting, between 1,035 and 1,191 Lebanese civilians and combatants were killed, as were 119 Israeli soldiers and 39 civilians.

The report covers the first six days of the war, when Israel battered Lebanon with massive air strikes as Hezbollah pounded Israel with rockets. Also, the report looks at developments during the six years that followed Israel's overnight pullout from southern Lebanon in 2000 — tracing the Hezbollah buildup across from the Israeli border.

According to TV reports confirmed by Israeli officials, the commission appointed by Olmert and chaired by a retired judge, Eliyahu Winograd, aims withering criticism at Olmert and Peretz over their decision-making, inexperience and failure to question plans presented by the military.

The report also says that Halutz, a former air force commander, did not provide political leaders with a sufficient range of military options, played down the rocket threat and silenced dissenting opinions within the army command, Israeli media said.

Halutz has already been replaced.

The Winograd panel does not have the authority to fire officials, but the scathing report could ignite public protests and demonstrations, coupled with political infighting, that could force the resignation of Olmert and Peretz. Noisy public demonstrations were expected to back demands that they step down.

Olmert's popular support is nearing single figures in newspaper polls, mostly because of the Lebanon war, but also because of allegations of his involvement in alleged corruption including real estate deals and undue interference in government transactions to favor friends and backers. Olmert has denied any wrongdoing.