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Winograd interim report left out many vital issues
By Nir Hasson

Since its release on Monday, the Winograd Committee's interim report on the Second Lebanon War has dominated the media's attention. However, the report is far from complete: It is missing crucial details that will only appear in the final report, scheduled for release in another five months.

For example, the partial report published on Monday lacks a serious examination of the military conduct of the war. Its authors chose instead to focus on the performance of the senior decision makers. Even the abduction of two Israel Defense Forces soldiers, the incident the sparked the war, was not analyzed in detail, nor are the IDF's bombings inside Lebanon in the days that followed it.

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The interim report includes little mention of the near-sinking of an Israel Navy warship off the coast of Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of four crew members. The report also does not discuss the performance of senior IDF officers other than former chief of staff Dan Halutz. A detailed account of the performance of crucial military figures such as Halutz's deputy, Major General Moshe Kaplinsky; Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin; and Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, who commanded Division 91 will, however, feature in the final report.

The equally crucial subject of the handling of the home front is also missing from the interim report. Committee members cited State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss's announcement that he intends to issue a report on this issue soon as the reason why they decided to postpone their examination of it until the final report. That report, however, is expected to discuss the level of protection afforded to civilians by various responsible parties, among them the IDF Home Front Command.

Those interested in the committee's findings regarding the performance of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will also have to wait for the final version.

The final report is expected to include a detailed review of the progress of the war after the first five days of hostilities, but once again, it will focus on the performance of the decision makers. The committee will also review the decision to launch a ground offensive toward the end of the war, after the United Nations Security Council had already drafted a resolution for a cease-fire.

Also on the committee's agenda for its final report are the relationship between political and military decision makers and Israel's diplomatic moves during the war.

However, it appears that the committee will not independently examine the details of the IDF's deployment in Lebanon: On this issue, it will base its conclusions on the findings of the in-house probes performed by the army.

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