Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the loss of the five Kfir Brigade soldiers killed by an explosive device in Beit Hanun in Gaza on Tuesday morning, offering his condolences to the families.
The military said that St.-Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, from Jerusalem; Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, from Jerusalem; St.-Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, from Jerusalem; Sgt.-Maj. Benyamin Asulin, 28, from Haifa; and St.-Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, 21, from Beit Shemesh, were killed in the incident.
"On this difficult morning, the entire People of Israel bows its head in mourning for the fall of our heroic fighters, who risked their lives in the battle to defeat Hamas and free all our hostages," Netanyahu said.
"We embrace the families who have lost their dearest ones, and we pray for the complete recovery of the wounded in the incident. Their sacrifice and bravery will be etched in our hearts forever."
Defense Minister Israel Katz also offered his condolences, writing, "Moshe, Noam, Meir, Benjamin, and Moshe fought heroically and courageously against the Hamas murderers to protect the citizens of Israel and bring back our hostage brothers and sisters.
"I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the families. A whole nation embraces you.
"May their memory be a blessing," Katz concluded.
President Isaac Herzog stated, "The heartbreaking news of the fall of five heroic sons in Gaza – most of them fighters from the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) battalion 'Netzah Yehuda' – pierces the heart.
"Our heroic sons continue to fight day and night with bravery, facing unimaginable human challenges. It is our sacred duty to learn all necessary lessons to protect the lives of our brave fighters – even deep in the heart of battle."
Herzog said that he was praying for the recovery of the wounded soldiers and sent his condolences to the grieving families.
Opposition chief and chairman of Yesh Atid Yair Lapid called this morning "a difficult and painful morning with the deaths of five IDF soldiers in Gaza."
"The entire State of Israel mourns with the families." He also wished a quick recovery for those wounded.
Democrats chairman MK Yair Golan mourned the loss of the soldiers while calling for a hostage deal and an end to the war that has seen the deaths of many IDF soldiers.
"A difficult morning with the news of the fall of five fighters last night in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
"It has already been 641 days that 50 hostages have been held by Hamas. It has already been 21 months that our sons and daughters have been fighting in the Gaza Strip. Today, we must implement a comprehensive hostage exchange deal, bring back our brothers and sisters, and end the war."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the loss an "unfathomable pain" and said that the soldiers "gave their lives so that we can continue to live here."
"No words can describe the pain. Sending condolences and a big hug - to the families and friends. And praying for the recovery of the wounded and the safety of the soldiers," Ben-Gvir said.
Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz said he "is with the grieving families in this difficult hour" and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
"Another difficult morning in which an entire nation mourns the loss of five heroes, the best of our sons, who fell to secure our future and our safety."