L., a combat soldier in the Kfir Brigade, sent a letter to his good friend M. after he injured M. when he accidentally fired a gun about two weeks ago.
The incident took place in L 's apartment in Tel Aviv. M. came to visit and the two of them talked. L. took the weapon that was lying under the bed to show it to his friend, and a bullet was accidentally fired which struck M. in the upper torso. M. was rushed to Icholov Hospital.
The Yediot Aharonot Hebrew newspaper published the contents of L.'s letter Friday morning. "I do not know what to say to you. First of all, I am so sorry. I still cannot fathom that you are in the hospital because of me. I know that there is no forgiveness for the suffering [I caused you]. I wish I could switch places with you and be the one who is there wounded."
"To think that that same day we were talking about going out, laughing, eating a hamburger, smoking a hookah like we used to do, L. wrote to his injured friend. "I keep thinking about you. I can't get you out of my head. You are with me all day. I'm so sorry. The tears are still flowing from my eyes, even now, as I write this letter in the hope that you will read it."
"I wish that I could visit you...Nothing feels like enough to atone for the pain you and your family have suffered.
An indictment was filed against L. for serious injury under aggravated circumstances. His remand was extended yesterday in the Jaffa military court.
Maj. Merav Hershkowitz-Yitzhaki and Major Oren Lieber, L's defense attorneys, said that "this is a human tragedy. The two soldiers are close childhood friends. Our client is in deep mourning over the accident."