A former commander of Israeli army on Friday called on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz to resign, criticizing the army's performance in the Lebanese war against Hezbollah, local media reported.

Former northern command chief Major General Avigdor Ben-Gal made the call when Halutz held talks with IDF reservist generals on Friday, saying that Halutz committed numerous mistakes during the 34-day fighting in southern Lebanon.

Ben-Gal said that it was a mistake to appoint Halutz, formerly Israel Air Force commander, to the seat of chief of staff because he lacked experience and insight required of the army's head commander.

In a similar meeting two weeks ago, several generals criticized the military leadership's conduct during the war, but refrained from openly calling on Halutz to resign.

Halutz replied to Ben-Gal that "a sheep shepherd doesn't have to be a sheep," hinting that he who is responsible for the herd doesn't have to be part of it.

Halutz fought back criticism by saying that the generals themselves failed to offer assistance during the war.

He also responded to former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon who slammed the political and military echelon for the army's shortcomings.

Some 70 former generals attended the meeting, most of them said that hesitancy was the main reason for the army's failure in dealing a decisive blow to Hezbollah.

Halutz has encountered vehement criticism from reservist generals for his performance in the conflict in Lebanon. Many army officers claimed that the army had not prepared itself for the war and had relied too much on air strikes.

Source: Xinhua