Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., September 26, 2006 , | | Israel Time: 11:13 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
Search site 
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
Last update - 03:08 26/09/2006
IDF says 90% of S. Lebanon in hands of UN, Lebanese army
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

The Israel Defense Forces has transferred control of 90% of the territory it held in southern Lebanon to UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, a senior military source said on Monday night. According to Israeli sources, there are still a number of issues regarding the day-to-day conduct of forces in southern Lebanon that have to be settled before the IDF withdrawal is completed.

Overall, the IDF is pleased with the conduct of both the UN force in Lebanon and the Lebanese Army. Both forces are taking their roles seriously, setting up roadblocks and carrying out searches.

UNIFIL was also quick to respond to Israeli calls regarding the presence of Hezbollah supporters close to the border. For now, the Shi'ite group has ensured that its supporters in southern Lebanon are not seen carrying weapons or wearing combat fatigues.

Advertisement

The Lebanese army has already deployed along the border area on the west, between Nakoura - where UNIFIL is based - and Bint Jbail. IDF forces are still holding positions in the central front.

IDF sources say that there still is a need to set up a mechanism for the sides to deal with emergency situations, if they arise.

Meanwhile an arrangement is emerging over the village of Ghajar, which is divided by the border. Israel will control the southern part of the village - which lies south of the recognized Blue Line (the international border). The northern part of the village will be controlled by UNIFIL, but Israel will continue providing the residents with essential services.

Meanwhile, the IDF is continuing the extensive internal evaluation of the war in Lebanon.

Chief of Staff Dan Halutz held a seminar on the conclusions of the fighting involving Division 162 along the central front.

The operations of the division included some of the most controversial in the war, such as the attack on Wadi Saluki.

During the meetings, serious criticism was voiced regarding the overall performance of the division.

Particular grievances pointed to the slow tempo and halting movement of the forces during the early stages of the fighting, as well as the conduct of the final battles, at Wadi Saluki and the village of Anduriya.

One of the biggest problems that emerged in the probe was the lack of coordination between the armored column moving north and the infantry force in place at Salouki.

Some IDF observers believe the General Staff has already marked out the divisional commanders as those responsible for the failures in the war.

At least four individuals are believed to be in a position to pay the price of failure by not being promoted to higher ranks: Brigadier-Generals Guy Tzur, Gal Hirsch, Erez Zukerman and Eyal Eisenberg. a

Bookmark to del.icio.us
Unrecognized villages
Court rejects petition to connect unrecognized Bedouin villages to clean water.
Tourists wary of North
Fewer than 70% of hotel rooms in the North were occupied during the holiday.
  1.   If Lebanon had only done this 6 years ago 03:47  |  Dave 26/09/06
  2.   Response to #1 04:09  |  Joe 26/09/06
  3.   The responsibility was not dissipated by the Syrians 04:51  |  Itamar 26/09/06
  4.   response to #2 05:04  |  al 26/09/06
  5.   Response tp #2 05:23  |  Victor 26/09/06
  6.   To Dave #1 05:54  |  Ali 26/09/06
  7.   #4 Al and the unemployed Hezbollah 06:38  |  Johnboy 26/09/06
  8.   #5 Victor - Shame on you! 06:45  |  Johnboy 26/09/06
  9.   Just get out and stop bickering 08:41  |  27 Million Lebanese 26/09/06
  10.   #2 Joe, I`m getting tired of listening to this excuse 10:39  |  Dave 26/09/06
  11.   Interesting Ali how you state some facts and ignore others 10:51  |  Dave 26/09/06
 Today Online
Shmuel Rosner: The senator and the Jewish elephant
Responses: 11
Yoel Marcus: Nasrallah, the only leader with an agenda
Responses: 4
Raja Zaatry: When police gun for Arabs and their allies
Responses: 4
Aluf Benn: Bush weighing Middle East tour before year end
Responses: 52
Avi Issacharoff: Gaza is hungry - and not because of Ramadan
Responses: 5
Australian PM: Arab countries must accept Israel's right to exist
Responses: 39
Rosner's Domain
* Senator Allen and the Jewish elephant
* New guest: Barak Ben Zur on the problems of 1701
* Poll: What's the most important event of the year?
* Mid-term diary: The Senator Allen watch


More Headlines
02:29 Bush weighing Middle East tour before year end
09:16 Qassam rockets strike Sderot, wounding woman soldier
09:45 Australian PM: Arab countries must accept Israel's right to exist
09:48 Rice says she would not back imposing gas embargo on Iran
10:00 UN urges Jews, Muslims to use religious holidays for peace moves
07:59 Bomb destroys car in Tel Aviv, no evident terror link
09:58 Last year, 4,200 Israelis abroad came back to Israel, most from U.S.
09:10 W. Bank city of Jericho to connect to Jordanian electricity grid
09:57 Hitler paintings dating back to WW1 to be auctioned in Cornish town
04:09 War in Lebanon cost local authorities in the North NIS 404 million
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Nahal Haredi
Defending Israel's homeland. Help support our troops
EZER MIZION
Help those that need it most!
JOIN FREE AT JDate.com
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
LEUMI
During your visit in Israel Bank Only With the Leader
ISRAEL-SHOPS ONLINE STORE
Gifts from Israel + FREE ISRAELI FLAG ON EVERY PURCHASE OVER $50
Isrotel Chain
Eleven quality hotels in Israel's best locations
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
One year MBA in Israel
Taught entirely in English
FREE REGISTRATION at JLove.com
Join The Fastest Growing Jewish Singles Community Now! Click Here!
HAARETZ SMS
Register Now to receive your daily news by SMS
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved