We don’t have in our hearts anything against them.
President Shimon Peres paid a shivah (condolence) call on Thursday to the families of the soldiers Nitai Stern and Dagan Vertman, who were victims of friendly fire in Gaza on Monday.
“The State is obligated to thank you for your raising such a son. I know how deep the pain is. However, in your hearts, you should feel very proud,” the President told the soldiers’ families.
Nitai Stern’s mother appealed to the President and request that the soldiers that fired at her son be located.
“I ask that you locate the soldiers who accidently fired the shells at my son and give them a clear message from me that we embrace and love them. We don’t hold anything against them in our hearts,” Nitai’s mother told President Peres.
The fallen Golani soldiers were part of a large group that had taken refuge in a building at the edge of the city of Jebaliya during heavy fighting in Gaza on Monday. The group had been targeted by mortar shells fired by Hamas.
After a short time, a loud explosion was heard and the building the soldiers had entered began to collapse. Three IDF soldiers were killed, one was critically wounded, three were severely wounded, and 20 soldiers were lightly to moderately wounded as a result of a misfired tank round.
Golani Brigade commander, Colonel Avi Peled, sustained light injuries in the incident. Col. Peled oversaw the evacuation in the field and directed the artillery and aerial cover via communication systems. Only after all those injured were evacuated did Peled seek medical attention for himself.