Israel names new war commander

2006-08-08 23:45

Allyn Fisher-Ilan

Jerusalem - Israel named a new top commander for its Lebanon war effort on Tuesday, effectively demoting another general after criticism of the army's handling of the four-week-old offensive.

The military said in a statement that Major General Moshe Kaplinsky, a veteran of previous Lebanon campaigns, was named "to co-ordinate the Israeli army's operations in Lebanon".

Israeli commentators saw the move as effectively pushing aside General Udi Adam, head of northern command, at a time when some Israelis are asking why the region's mightiest army has failed to halt Hezbollah rocket fire after 28 days of fighting.

Channel Two television said Kaplinsky, the deputy chief of staff and former commander in the occupied West Bank, was named because Adam had angered Prime Minister Ehud Olmert by accusing politicians of limiting the Lebanon campaign.

Some commentators voiced concern that tensions within the army could hurt Israel's war effort, and that the change in leadership may reflect frustrations within a force that has long prided itself on defeating its enemies swiftly.

Still, opinions polls have shown strong public support for the war.

Fighting erupted on July 12 when Hezbollah fighters captured two soldiers and killed eight in a cross-border raid.

Israeli warplanes retaliated by bombing targets in Lebanon and Hezbollah began raining rockets on northern Israel.

The last time an Israeli general lost a command role at the height of battle was during the 1973 Middle East war, when Israel was surprised by attacks by Syria and Egypt and suffered heavy losses, experts said.

The change of command was decided by army chief General Dan Halutz, who assumed his post last year.

Defence chiefs have tried to persuade the government in the past week to widen the ground campaign in Lebanon, a move Olmert has so far opposed.

He planned to meet top ministers on Wednesday to consider a possible expansion of the offensive.

Despite Kaplinsky's appointment, Adam would remain in his post, the army statement said.

Adam told Israeli television he preferred not to step down while his troops were at war, but did not rule it out.

"Decisions regarding northern command are mine to make," he told Channel One television.

"If that won't be the case, we shall decide how to proceed."

- Reuters