Military ‘inept’
NZPA-AP Washington Nearly 20 per cent of the casualties the Israeli military suffered in its 1982 invasion of Lebanon were self-inflicted, the “Washington Times” newspaper reports. The newspaper said its information came from senior United States officials, who were not identified. Secret battlefield reports were cited. The report said United States military experts were stunned by the “ineptitude” of Israeli armed forces and attributed the self-inflicted casualties to poor communications, leadership and discipline among Israeli ground, air, and artillery units.
A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy, while saying some such casualties were “inevitable,” termed the newspaper’s presentation “incorrect and mistaken.”
The “Washington Times” said one senior United States military official characterised the invasion as a “disaster” and another described the Israeli Army as an “inept, undisciplined horde.” United States officials reported classified battlefield reports gave the Israelis low marks for their performance in Lebanon. Casualty figures showing that nearly 750 of the total 3800 Israelis killed and wounded were victims of “friendly fire,” were cited.
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Press, 29 August 1984, Page 11
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167Military ‘inept’ Press, 29 August 1984, Page 11
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