Matan Avargil, a 19-year-old from the settlement of Chermesh in the Samaria region, was killed during combat in the south while defending the Gaza envelope settlements. His cousin was murdered a day before that in the nature party in Re'im. His battalion mate, Imri Edri, eulogized his death today (Thursday) and recounted the moments when he was attacked – when Avargil jumped on a grenade, saving the lives of the other battalion members.
Edri's exact words:
"Thank you, thank you to God who sent me an angel. Matan, what a person you were, what a friend you were. I wish everyone had someone like you in their life. You will accompany me for the rest of my life, and I will keep you close forever. I wish I could thank you again for saving our lives, for giving yours for ours.
"All the time during training, they used to say to us, 'Who will jump on the grenade?' It sounded like a cliché, and who would believe it would become real. When they said the sentence, there were a few standout individuals, but you, you were always something special, always giving more, always giving quietly, that was you.
"I will never forget that morning. We sat outside after another morning where we woke up at 5:30 just to sit around, not doing anything, just passing the two hours and then going back to sleep. We sat outside, shared our usual jokes, and suddenly, a red alert. There was a warning on the radio about a terrorist breach; it became real. Everyone shocked, trying to stay calm, no one really comprehended, especially not what was about to happen.
"From the very first moments, you functioned as anyone would have dreamed. You were there a hundred percent like a true warrior, and after all the difficulties and events that preceded it, we were all in the armored vehicle. And then, out of nowhere, dozens of terrorists opened fire on us, and we were trapped inside the armored vehicle. Who would stick their head out and fire if not you? We all sat inside, helpless, until one of their bullets hit, and everyone entered the armored vehicle again. Then the real nightmare began, hearing the grenade landing on the floor where we were all piled on top of each other, and then came your shout, and then the explosion... and all the noise turned into silence.
"To turn around and realize that you jumped on the grenade and saved all of our lives is a feeling that cannot be explained. You are the symbol of courage, selflessness, and true friendship. Before this, you hear all the stories about all the heroes of Israel, but you don't really understand. Today, I understand that there are special people, angels, and you are one of them, Matan. I swear on my life that everyone will hear and recognize the hero you were, how special a person you were, and how I can never thank you enough for the privilege you gave me to live. Matan Avargil, you are an Israeli hero!"