Summer Rain: A Reporter's Diary of the 2006 War Between Israel and Hezbollah

by Annette Lévy-Willard

This is a chronicle of military vain glory. Wings Halutz, the Israeli Chief of staff, told the Prime Minister he had won the war 30 minutes after launching the first air strike. The Israeli Prime Minister listened to the good news puffing a cigar. 33 days later everyone was still fighting. One lesson the Israeli army forgot is that it is a good idea to send your men in with rations. An army fights on its stomach. The Israelis also underestimated their enemy because over years of the Intfada, they had become used to dealing with young men who tossed stones and primitive bombs. Hezbollah, Israeli commandos told Annette, were "real soldiers-just like us"

Paperback

Published January 1, 2007