Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, war cabinet member Benny Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a joint statement regarding the 21 Israeli army casualties, stating: "The price we pay in this war is heavy." The statement, read at the beginning of a war cabinet meeting, said: "We bow our heads in memory of our martyrs, yet we do not stop for a moment in seeking a goal that is indispensable, which is to achieve total victory."
Netanyahu stated that "yesterday was one of the hardest days since the outbreak of the war. We lost 24 of our finest heroic sons who fell defending the homeland," considering that "we are in the midst of a war that cannot be justified. In this war, there are great achievements, including today, in completing the encirclement of Khan Younis, but there are also very high prices. We will fight, and together we will win."
For his part, Gallant said, "The painful news we received yesterday, about the fall of 24 of our fighters, our finest sons from all over the homeland, from its north and south, from everywhere, is a heavy blow," stressing that "we continue to do whatever is required. Our forces are operating deep within enemy territory, and we are monitoring everything that happens in the north." He added, "Hezbollah continues to provoke, and I have now conducted a special assessment of the situation in this regard. We are prepared; we do not want war, but we are ready for any situation that may develop in the north. Therefore, one hand is directed south with an eye vigilant towards the north."
Gantz stated, "On behalf of all the people of Israel, I would like to convey our condolences, the condolences of all segments of society, to the families who have lost their dearest. These are reservists who left everything to come and defend the state of Israel and uphold the Zionist vision. This is how we will remember all those who fell, this is how we will remember those who perished yesterday in the terrible disaster." He added, "This morning, all our hearts are broken for those who fell and their families, and all our hearts are united in the important mission they fell for, which still lies ahead of us to ensure the safety of the state of Israel, the safety of our children, and our future. We will do this together; we will do it in unity."
