Probe reveals logistics, not lack of supplies, hampered army

Malfunctions in the transfer of supplies to the front was the main reason for the IDF's difficulties in the second Lebanon war, not a lack of supplies. This is the top conclusion of the in-house IDF investigation on the performance of logistics units in the war, presented Tuesday by Major-General Avi Mizrahi, head of the Technology and Logistics Branch.

The investigation revealed logistics shortages, but the general staff believes the supplies would have reached the combat units if different directives had been issued to supply convoys. The convoys were hampered by the threat of Hezbollah anti-tank missiles and road-side bombs.

Mizrahi's committee - whose conclusions and recommendations were presented in a press conference Tuesday morning - also looked into the employment of reserves soldiers during the war.

In his presentation, Mizrahi said the IDF will invest NIS 2 billion by 2012 to improve the equipment in the war reserves store units. It will put an emphasis on improving the equipment of reserves combatant soldiers.

Investigations have shown that there were considerable shortages in medical supplies as a result of the risk the army took based on the assumption that war was not imminent.

The IDF was forced to spend NIS 25 million on medical supplies during the war to replenish the stock.

The army maintains that all medical supplies were received by units on time, and that the combat units entered Lebanon with proper medical gear.

Following the investigations, Mizrahi recommended a restoration of the former set-up, when the logistics branch was responsible for logistics in routine and emergency situations.

In doing so, Mizrahi recommended a canceling of the reform carried out by former Chief-of-Staff Dan Halutz, who had delegated logistical authority to the Ground Forces Command.

Mizrahi also recommended a reinstating of the logistics division shut down by Halutz.

In addition, Mizrahi recommended a postponement until 2010 the implementation of the reserves law, which passed its first reading in the Knesset last year. Mizrahi believes the law requires amendments that would ensure higher pay for reserves soldiers.

This correlates with the intention to require reserves units to perform operational action every three years in addition to routine training.

The current bill would require reserves units to perform operational duties - in the territories or on the borders - only in special circumstances. By 2010, reserves service is expected to be put at 80 days every three years at least.

Mizrahi's committee has also recommended the creation of two battalions of commissioned soldiers to relieve some of the burden on reserves soldiers. The committee did not recommend a change to the current age of discharge from reserves service: 40 years old for enlisted men, 45 years for officers.