Last update - 00:00 25/01/2007
Peretz testifies before Winograd panel on decisions leading up to war
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who testified before the Winograd Committee Wednesday, explained the decision-making process that took place the day the war broke out.
In the session, which lasted more than four hours, Peretz described the talks he had with the prime minister that day.
He was asked if the objectives of the war had been defined before hostilities began and what predictions the defense staff had made regarding the war's duration.
Peretz was also asked how much Israel knew about Hezbollah's capabilities on the day the war started, July 12.
Peretz spoke about the decision not to launch a major ground offensive at the beginning of the fighting, although there was a detailed plan for such an offensive. He was asked about the decision to launch the large ground operation in the last two days of fighting, after the cease-fire had been planned.
Peretz told bereaved parents a few weeks ago that if the committee finds him guilty for the war's blunders, he would resign. Today former chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon is to appear before the committee. Outgoing Chief of Staff Dan Halutz is to testify next Sunday.