Shomron probe raps IDF brass, but lets Halutz off the hook

By YAAKOV KATZ
Former chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Dan Shomron presented the findings of his probe into the performance of the General Staff during the recent war in Lebanon on Friday, criticizing commanders for poor organization but stopping short of calling for the resignation of incumbent Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz. Senior officers predicted over the weekend that Halutz would decide on his future in the IDF after the government-appointed Winogard Committee presented its interim conclusions on the war. Shomron slammed senior commanders for not immediately invoking wartime regulations that would have allowed for a quicker mobilization of reservists. He also criticized the military for not doing enough to curb Hizbullah's Katyusha rocket fire during the war. Nearly 4,000 rockets hit the North during the month long conflict. Shomron discussed the shortcomings in the IDF's level of readiness before the war and recommended that the current members of the General Staff stay in their posts to rehabilitate the military. Halutz plans to convene all IDF officers from the rank of colonel and up for a two-day seminar on Monday during which top generals will present the results of the 50 internal army inquiries and explain the plans for rehabilitation.