Interim war findings expected to focus blame on four generals

The interim findings of an Israel Defense Forces' investigation of the battles fought in this summer's Lebanon war, which will be presented to the General Staff forum on Sunday, are expected to heap severe criticism on the conduct of the four divisions that fought in the war.

Chief of Staff Dan Halutz is expected to ask the investigators for additional material, but the information that has been gleaned up to now is also likely to influence Halutz's decision regarding the military futures of several commanders who took part in combat.

Some General Staff officials familiar with the issue said the army was looking to blame the division commanders for what were, in the words of one, "the failures of the war."