Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., December 21, 2007 Tevet 12, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:50 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Hanukkah

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 21:31 19/12/2007 IDF takes responsibility for reservists' deaths in Katyusha strike By Eli Ashkenazi, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Lebanon War, IDF  In a letter sent from the Israel Defense Forces to the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, the IDF said it was responsible for the death of the twelve reservists who were killed near the entrance of the Kibbutz by a Katyusha rocket during the Second Lebanon War last August. "The IDF is responsible for the failures and mistakes that led to the tragedy. The residents of Kfar Giladi must not be held at all responsible," Northern Command Chief of Staff Brigadier General Alon Friedman wrote recently in a letter to the Kibbutz and the head of the Upper Galille regional council. Following the war, relatives of those killed claimed that residents would not let the soldiers into the kibbutz due to fears that the soldiers would cause damage to property. Advertisement Benjamin Ben David, whose son Daniel died in the rocket strike, said at the memorial service that, "the blood of our sons calls out from the earth to the kibbutz." Over a year ago, Haaretz revealed the content of a document in which the IDF issued an order during the war in Lebanon banning communities on the northern border from granting entry to troops without the prior permission of the military. Friedman also wrote to the kibbutz that the incident would be investigated. Kibbutz member Uri Eshkoli said Wednesday that "the IDF woke up a bit late and with too low a profile. We deserve a medal of honor for our assistance during the war. We opened our hotel to soldiers and asked for no compensation. Moreover, soldiers stayed in the kibbutz through out the entire war. Our conscious was clean the entire time." "It hurt us when people tried to put the blame on us in order to clear someone else's name. I know that this letter won't change the minds of those who spoke so strongly against us," Eshkoli added. Related articles: Reservists failed to take cover after siren Victims of Kfar Giladi rocket attack Rocket strike on reservists was war's breaking point Bookmark to del.icio.us Peres apology The President apologized to Kafr Qasem villages for the massacre of 1956. Gaza: The Sequel 'There is no other option' but another round of war. But will it be any different this time?   1.   IDF was launching attacks into Lebanon in within civilian areas 16:09  |  Mike 19/12/07   2.   Mike, don`t they teach grammar in NY? 18:29  |  Joe Sittizen 19/12/07   3.   To Joe Sittizen 19:05  |  Mike 19/12/07   4.   uh oh: every jew for himself 19:18  |  mohammed 19/12/07   5.   hezbollah killed 140 mostly soldiers 19:26  |  mohammed 19/12/07   6.   To Mohammed 20:14  |  J 19/12/07   7.   the kibbutznikim have nothing to be ashamed of 21:11  |  rootlesscosmo 19/12/07   8.   Clueless but I will try again 23:20  |  Mark Lincoln 19/12/07   9.   bad karma for that kibbutz 01:07  |  Michelle 20/12/07   10.   Nasrallah`s "divine victory" 02:09  |  Scipio 20/12/07   11.   To: Mike 01:40  |  Paul Rosman 22/12/07

Today Online Two IDF troops lightly wounded; Israel sets terms for truce Responses: 225 Peres apologizes for Kafr Qasem massacre of 1956 Responses: 104 Attempt to exchange messages between Israel and Syria fails Responses: 42 U.S. envoy: Peace education is the only way to end this conflict Responses: 73 Ramon: 70 MKs support settler compensation plan Responses: 87 Rosner's Domain Riedel: "Israel will attack Iran" (WTR) Hijacked by the demanding, spoiled Bar Mitzvah families Romney to Evangelicals, like Messianic Jews to Jews (WTR) Rosner's Guest: deNazify the Palestinian culture More Headlines 00:10 Rice: U.S. open to Iran, Syria talks if they change policy 00:14 Two IDF troops lightly hurt as Israel mulls truce offer 18:27 President Peres apologizes for Kafr Qasem massacre of 1956 01:18 Report: Sacha Baron Cohen to retire alter egos Borat and Ali G 01:02 Historic New York City matzo factory on sale for $25 million 17:35 A changing Reform movement attempts to resurrect Shabbat 12:52 Ramon: 70 MKs support paying settlers to evacuate voluntarily 21:29 Top Hezbollah official blasts Bush, says Lebanon rejects his tutelage 16:19 Rice welcomes Israeli decision to nix building plan in East J'lem 07:16 Attempt to exchange messages between Israel and Syria fails Previous Editions Select Day 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved