Under Fire: Diary of an Israeli Commander on the Battlefield

Lieutenant Colonel (Reserves) Yoni Chetboun relates a mosaic of moments from his service as a commander during one of the most complex periods in the State of Israels security. The drama reached its height at the Battle of Bint Jbeil in the 2006 Lebanon War, in which eight soldiers and commanders fell. One was Major Roi Klein, who jumped on a grenade to save his soldiers. For his performance and bravery in this battle, Chetboun was awarded a Chief of Staff citation. He describes here the sensations and thoughts racing through the mind of a commander under fire who bears responsibility for the lives of his soldiers. Under Fire is the story of soldiers and their personal sacrifices. Chetboun arrived at his own engagement party with camouflage paint still on his face, and his new wife would spend her first Passover as a married woman alone in their new home, while he spent it in the heart of Ramallah, four meters from Palestinian Authority Chairman Yassir Arafats office. Yet, avows Chetboun, this is the way it should be: soldiers on the front so that citizens can live peacefully at home. Chetboun also articulates a clear vision of the foundational security concepts necessary for defeating fundamentalist terrorism. Incisive and inspirational, this is a must-read for anyone concerned about the situation of the world today.