Galilee Division commander to be dismissed?
Major General (res.) Doron Almog to present conclusions of inquiry into kidnapping incident which led to start of second Lebanon war. According to estimates, Almog to recommend dismissal of Brigadier General Gal Hirsch; General Staff to discuss his future
Major General (res.) Doron Almog, who held the inquiry, is expected to present IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz with the report issued by the inquiry team which looked into the kidnapping incident.
The report will also be submitted Sunday to Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
Military officials told Ynet on Saturday evening that "this is a harsh report, which will include profound recommendations – both personal and general."
They added that the report would include remarks and recommendations regarding the highest ranks, down to the battalion level.
Maj.-Gen. Almog headed an investigation committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the July 12 kidnapping of two IDF soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Eight soldiers were killed in the cross-border attack carried out by Hizbullah guerillas.
The committee investigated the army's patrol procedures along the border before the kidnapping as well as a number of previous, failed kidnapping attempts.
The report which will be submitted to the chief of staff should include the string of events only. Recommendations about personal conclusions won't appear in the report, but will be presented verbally to Halutz.
Estimates are that the possibility of dismissing Brigadier General Hirsch will be raised at the forum. Recommendations could be made against promoting him.
And now: Promotions
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz had ruled last month that the four commanders of the military divisions that took part in the recent war in Lebanon will not be dismissed from their positions, despite the findings of inquiries conducted after the ceasefire went into force that revealed failures in their conduct.
Some of the generals will continue to serve in their roles, while others will be appointed to administrative posts after completing serving their term in office.
During a prolonged debate held throughout the afternoon at the office of Dan Halutz and attended by army generals, it has been decided that the commander of the Galilee Division, Brigadier-General Gal Hirsch, will complete his term in office and afterwards be appointed head of the Strategy Unit at the IDF's Planning Directorate.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz's announced however that he had decided to delay the issue and not to automatically authorize the appointments. The word in the IDF is that if the appointments are not authorized, "officers will announce their immediate resignation."
IDF sources warned that such a step is likely to be perceived as a vote of no confidence in the chief of staff.
Peretz said he will make a decision on whether or not to Okay the appointments once the army submits a round of reports commissioned to probe deficiencies in military operations and commands.
