The premier, whose approval ratings have slumped to unprecedented lows, became the last in a string of about 70 senior political and military officials to testify before the government commission since it was set up in September.

The panel was set up amid heavy public criticism of the country's leadership over the 34-day war against the Hezbollah militia that failed to achieve its main goals of freeing two captured soldiers and halting rocket fire.

Many observers believe Olmert's future depends on the outcome of the commission and that if directly blamed for any failures, he could be forced to resign in keeping with growing public calls for his head to roll.