IDF: We screwed up

Deputy army chief admits army made mistakes in way it sent reserve troops into battle

Ilan Marciano
Published: 08.22.06, 21:03 / Israel News

Errors were made in the way the Israel Defense Forces sent reserve troops into battle, Deputy Chief of Staff Moshe Kaplinsky admitted Tuesday during a discussion by the reservists' lobby at the Knesset.

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"There were errors and flaws in equipment and at emergency warehouses," he said.

Kaplinsky vowed to ensure reserve soldiers are better prepared for active duty and noted that a training program will be introduced to that end.

During the session, reservists expressed their anger over the many shortcomings that emerged during the war and demanded to be told when the current state of high alert would be over, so they can return home.

Meanwhile, representatives of reservists' families complained they had no address to turn to during the fighting to find out information about their loved ones and therefore lost touch with them during the war.

Kaplinsky said the army will do everything to release all reserve troops by the weekend.

46 reserve soldiers killed during war

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Avi Zamir of the IDF Personnel Directorate said a special call center has been set up for reservists who served in the war, and added that all reserve troops will receive brochures detailing their rights.

Army officials also announced they are working to secure a special bonus for reserve soldiers.

"The calculation method is being examined at this time through dialogue with the Treasury, and we expect agreement as early as tomorrow," one IDF official said.

During the war, a total of 46 reserve soldiers were killed and 233 were wounded, with 144 of them released from hospital by now.

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