After the announcement by the IDF on Friday afternoon that they had recovered the bodies of three hostages from Gaza, tributes and condolences flowed in from across Israeli society.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "I am heartbroken for the great loss. My wife Sara and I grieve with the families. The hearts of all of us are firm in the hour of these heavy deaths."
President Isaac Herzog: "My heart goes out in sympathy to the grieving and tormented families of the hostages Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila, and Shani Louk, whose bodies were rescued from Gaza and will be brought for eternal rest in Israel."
My heart goes out in sympathy to the grieving and tormented families of the hostages Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila and Shani Louk, whose bodies were rescued from Gaza and will be brought for eternal rest in Israel.My thanks go to the IDF, the Shin Bet and the security forces…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) May 17, 2024
Labor MK Naama Lazimi: "Time is running out. This is more proof that the hostages must be returned now. My heart goes out to the 129 families who are overwhelmed with worry and anxiety for their loved ones. The only way to bring them back alive is through a deal, and that's the only thing the government and its leader should deal with."
Likud MK Keti Shitrit: "We hoped and expected other good news, our heart is broken. I send my condolences from the bottom of my heart to the three families for the painful news."
From across Israeli society
Foreign Minister Israel Katz: "The heart is torn asunder by hearing the difficult news about the death of Amit Buskila, Shani Louk and the late Yitzchak Gelenter, who was murdered at the Nova party and whose bodies were found in Gaza and returned to Israel."
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "The return of all our abductees was and will remain a supreme moral duty and a war goal for us. We share the heavy sorrow of their families. May their memory be a blessing."
הערכה והוקרה לכוחות צה״ל ושב״כ שהביאו לקבר ישראל את גופותיהם של יצחק גלרנטר, שני לוק ועמית בוסקילה ז״ל משבי החמאס בעזה.השבת כל חטופינו הייתה ותישאר חובה מוסרית עליונה ומטרת מלחמה עבורנו. משתתף בצערן הכבד של המשפחות.יהי זכרם ברוך.
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) May 17, 2024
Minister Benny Gantz: "On this difficult evening, I would like to embrace and send my condolences to the families of Shani Louk, Amit Buskila and Yitzhak Gelanter. May their memory be a blessing. We do not forget for one second our supreme obligation to return all the hostages."
Labor Chairwoman MK Merav Michaeli: "My heart goes out to the families of the three hostages whose bodies were recovered in an impressive operation by the IDF. The pain is unbearable. 129 hostages are still there, and a deal is needed to bring them back alive. This fighting should be stopped with a political settlement. Every day that goes by, this deal gets further and further away, and we continue to put them all at risk. We want them here alive. We will not rest until they all return."
The Jewish Federation provided the following statement upon hearing the news:
“Jewish Federations of North America expresses its deepest sympathies to the grieving families of Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila, and Shani Louk, who were tragically murdered by Hamas on October 7th while attending the Nova festival of music and dance. May their memories be for a blessing. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the IDF soldiers who brought them home.”
German foreign minister reacts
The German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock commented on the recovery of Shani Louk's body on X.
Drei Menschen, die das Leben feierten und durch den Terror der Hamas in den Tod gerissen wurden. Die drei in #Gaza geborgenen Leichname der #Geiseln geben den Familien traurige Gewissheit. Ihnen und ihren Lieben, die nun Abschied nehmen können, gilt mein herzliches Beileid. 1/2 https://t.co/g1hAI5QMma
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) May 17, 2024
She said, "Three people who celebrated life were torn to their deaths by the terror of Hamas. The three bodies recovered in #Gaza of the hostages give the families sad certainty. My heartfelt condolences go out to them and their loved ones who can now say goodbye."
She added, "They are three of over 1,200 people who fell victim to Hamas's inhuman hatred on October 7. We will not let up in our diplomatic efforts until all hostages are finally free."