Another Israeli general resigns over Israel’s adventure in Lebanon

Source: Compiled by Moqawama.org, 13-11-2006
An "Israeli" general in charge of troops along the Lebanese border resigned on Sunday after being accused of failing to prevent the capture of two soldiers that triggered a month-long war with Lebanon. Brigadier General Gal Hirsch is the second "Israeli" general to quit amid widespread public criticism of military failures during the 34-day war that ended with a UN-brokered cease-fire on August 14.
"He has submitted his resignation," a military spokesperson said of Hirsch, who, according to "Israeli" media reports, stepped down after a military probe accused him of "improper functioning" after the two soldiers were seized on July 12.
Hizbullah captured the soldiers in a cross-border raid in which eight troops were killed.
Hirsch had been head of the Galilee Brigade, which is responsible for patrolling "Israel's" northern border.
"Israeli" media reports said the army`s probe had accused him of failing to drill troops about the possibility of being captured, despite repeated warnings that Hizbullah planned to try to seize soldiers, "Israel" Radio said.
"Israel's" Maariv newspaper said "Israeli" reservist General Doron Almog, who has been carrying out an internal probe of events that led to the war, had called Hirsch and recommended he resign before he publishes his findings on the capture.
The paper quoted Hirsch as expressing anger over Almog`s conclusions, telling colleagues the report was unfair.
"To say I don`t deserve to be a commander is quite absurd. I don`t deserve this," Hirsch said.
In mid-September, the top general in charge of "Israel's" northern front, Udi Adam, quit his command after the army was embarrassed by the nearly 4,000 rockets Hizbullah fired at the Jewish (Zionist) state during the war.
In another development, "Israel" continued over the weekend its violation of Lebanon`s airspace, with more than five "Israeli" jets flying over various Southern towns.