Winograd panel to submit interim findings by end of Feb.

The panel investigating the conduct of the military and political leadership in the second Lebanon war will submit its interim findings in about two months. They could include warning letters to individuals who are likely to be affected by the committee's conclusions. The final report is expected in about one year.

The committee has heard the testimony of 44 witnesses to date, including politicians, senior army officers and intelligence officials. This month, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz are scheduled to testify. Also expected to appear before the panel in January are mayors and residents from the north of the country, who will describe the performance of the government vis-a-vis the home front.

Yesterday, Maj. Gen (Res.) Amos Gilad, a former head of Military Intelligence who is currently head of the Defense Ministry's department of diplomatic policy, and MK Effi Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) testified before the committee. Scheduled to testify today are Brig. Gen. Erez Zuckerman, who commanded the reserve duty division in the war, and former defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai. Mordechai is expected to face questions about IDF policy before its 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon. Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch, who commanded the Galilee Division in the war and left the army in the wake of the conclusions of the internal IDF inquiry into the war, headed by Doron Almog, is scheduled to testify on January 22.