The Outcome and Lessons of the Operation

Despite the success in infiltrating the target, the operation did not achieve its objective. This was followed by a Palmach debate, whether it was correct to notify the British in advance about planting the explosives. Had the explosion occurred right after the force retreated, some 40 British soldiers who stayed at the camp would have been hurt. The Hagana's supposition regarding battle morals – of avoiding British casualties if they did not endanger the attacking force – guided the operation planners and executers. The operation's objective was to sabotage the radar facility, not to hit British soldiers. Bloodshed may have contributed to the operation's success (as well as unloading the natural urge to revenge), but it would have also shadowed the operation's political message, giving the British a reason to attack Jewish settlements and conduct comprehensive, violent searches after Hagana warriors and arms. Despite the controversy and the stormy debate, both Hagana and Palmach commanderships remained loyal to their views and decided to continue to give advance warnings against bombings of future operations.
However, the operational lesson that was learnt was that the explosives should also contain a booby-trapped detonator that can not be defused; the most that could happen is that the person who tried to dismantle the charge prematurely would be hurt. That way, the military goal would be achieved, while causing the least possible casualty.
Moshe Sneh, the national HQ Chief, sent a letter to the British military commander in Haifa, in which he expressed his appreciation of the courage shown by the officer who dismantled the demolition charge; however, he warned him that if the radar continued to function, he would bomb it with no advanced warning.