This heartrending letter from Gilad Shalit's brother Yoel appears in today's Haaretz:

Whoever prepared me to stand in front of the cameras, to reveal the intimacy and simplicity of a young man's life? But the 1,000 days my brother is in the darkness of Gaza are insufferable.

I, who was and remains committed to military service, have one simple request from the leaders of this country: Bring my brother back to his family. All we want - my sister, my parents and I - is to go back to normal, with no microphones and no cameras.

The words try to express the pain, longings and desire to make a bruised family whole. The words try to express the fear of missed opportunity, the last chance to bring my brother home. True, I am busy with my studies, I try not to waste the passing time, but my heart is torn. I feel the time passing, I see my mother's sad eyes, my father running around trying to open the doors of decision-makers. My brother's pictures in the house, his empty room, the sun that does not penetrate our home.

I am part of a wounded family. Yes, I know there are more battered families in this country. I know there are those who mourning has struck for years ahead. I was raised in a country fighting for its existence. But I know that by brother is trapped alive, and he may not know what is being done for him, that time is not something that can be counted.

Since he was taken, he has become a career army man. But he is just like me, like you. He just wants to start his life. My brother served with that hope we all have, that mutual responsibility is an inseparable part of our society, that which makes us willing to enlist and risk our lives if need be.

I would like to address the prime minister, at the last minute: Please bring about a decision that will bring my brother home, and restore Gilad the soldier to the thousands who are visiting our tent and to others. I promise not to bother you any more; we will all go back to our simple community in the Galilee to live a quiet life.