Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized this evening (Thursday) the death of Gal Eizenkot, the son of former Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, who was killed in the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
"Chana and Gadi Eizenkot, Sara and I are heartbroken over the death of your son Gal," Netanyahu said. "We cry with you. We embrace you. Gal was a brave fighter and a true hero."
"We send our condolences from the bottom of our hearts to your family and the families of all our fallen heroes. The nation surrounds you with love and gratitude - today and forever," he added. "How great is the pain. How deep is the sorrow. The government of Israel and the citizens of Israel mourn together with you. Our heroes did not fall in vain. We will continue to fight until victory."
Herzog: "Gal was raised to love the people and acted in this spirit even when he was killed"
State President Isaac Herzog also said that "Michal and I grieve and ache with the deep grief of Gadi and Chana Eizenkot over the death of their son Gal in the battles in the Gaza Strip. Gadi told me more than once about Gal, who was the pattern of his family landscape - a man of values, striving for excellence, and loved by all. Gadi dedicates his life to the security of Israel, the IDF and the country, and today he and his family are paying an unbearable price.
"Gal was raised from childhood to love the people and the homeland and he acted in this spirit at every moment, even when he was killed," added Herzog. "Together with the entire nation, I embrace the bereaved Israeli family, whose sacrifice is heavy and unbearably difficult, and pledge - we will continue to protect our people and our beloved country, for their sake and ours. May the memory of Gal and those who fell in the war be blessed."
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "It was with great sadness that I received the difficult news of the death of Gal, the son of Minister Gadi Eizenkot, with whom I shared many years of joint service. Gal was raised on the values of love for the country, and unfortunately he also fell for them. My heart and thoughts are with all the family members. May we be worthy of Gal's sacrifice, and of all those who fall in this just war."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "Condolences to Minister Gadi Eizenkot and his dear family on the falling of their heroic son, Major Gal Meir, in the battle in the Gaza Strip. Gal inherited from his family the values of service of the people of Israel, and sacrificed his life for the sake of our country. The entire nation of Israel is committed to continuing to fight shoulder to shoulder for the destruction of Hamas and the victory of the State of Israel. May his memory be blessed."
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri: "I cry and mourn for Gal Meir Eizenkot, the son of my beloved friend the minister and former Chief of Staff, General Gadi Eizenkot. There are no words to console, my dear brother. May God bind his soul and the souls of all the martyrs of the IDF in the bundle of life."