Top Israeli officials decried the "major disaster" in the Gaza Strip, in which 21 soldiers were eliminated in one go by the Palestinian Resistance on Monday.

"An unbearably difficult morning, in which more and more names of the best of our sons are added to the gravestones of heroes, in a war that has no justice," Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted on X.

The incident, in which a slew of Israeli soldiers and officers were killed — most of whom served under the Gaza Division's reserve 261st Infantry Brigade — resulted in a whirlwind of reactions in Israeli circles.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett were among those to quickly comment on yet another event that highlighted the capabilities of the Palestinian Resistance.

Read more: Al-Qassam ambush takes down 30 Israeli soldiers in one go

Reactions of Israeli officials

Isaac Herzog

Herzog said, "More and more of the best of our sons" continue to die in the war, which the Israeli occupation had launched on the Gaza Strip.

Since the Israeli ground invasion into the Gaza Strip was launched on the night of October 27, at least 221 soldiers and officers were killed, as official numbers spiked when the Israeli occupation expanded its operations to the southern Gaza Strip, on December 1, and the central Gaza Strip at a later stage.

Herzog asserted that the ongoing battles are "intense" and are taking place in "an extremely challenging space."

Benjamin Netanyahu

Related News

Israelis divided over Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire deal

Kahana resigns from Gantz' party, may join Bennett's

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli occupation "experienced one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war."

Regarding the "disaster" that unfolded in the central Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said the IOF "launched an investigation" to determine the causes of the incident.

Netanyahu asserted that the Israeli occupation "will not stop fighting until the absolute victory."

Benny Gantz

A member of the Israeli war cabinet and former member of the opposition, Benny Gantz, reminded Israeli settlers of the "heavy price" that they "are forced to pay" for what he claimed is a "just war", which sought to achieve a "lofty goal".

Yoav Gallant

On his part, the Israeli Security Minister and member of the war cabinet, Yoav Gallant, described Tuesday morning as "difficult and painful."

Stressing that the ongoing Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood "will determine the future of Israel for decades to come," the official claimed that the recent incident will compel the authorities to "achieve the goals" of their genocidal war on Gaza.

Itamar Ben-Gvir

Police Minister and renowned far-right extremist, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said the large death toll announced on Tuesday "make it clearer than ever" that "Israel" should not deescalate in the Gaza Strip and continue its war on the Gaza Strip.

"I wish we would be worthy of [killed Israeli soldiers] and fulfill their will, which was written in blood — crushing and destroying Hamas and returning all the hostages," Ben-Gvir said. Interestingly, despite the fact that 108 days have passed since the Resistance launched its operation into the Gaza Envelope and taken hundreds of Israelis captive, the Israeli military has yet to retrieve, via military action, a single captive alive.

Naftali Bennett

Former Israeli Prime Minister and member of the opposition, Naftali Bennett, said that Tuesday is "a day of immense pain for the people of Israel."

Yair Lapid

Among those quick to comment was opposition leader Yair Lapid who shared his counterparts' takes, saying that Tuesday morning was "unbearably difficult".

"Heroes of Israel, lovers of the land, its defenders," Lapid wrote about the 21 soldiers and officers who were crushed under the rubble of two buildings that they had planned to detonate near al-Maghazi refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip.

"I send a hug to the families of the fighters. The entire nation of Israel is with you in your difficult time. May their memories be a blessing," Lapid posted on X.

Scenes similar to an earthquake-hit site

Citing the aforementioned testimonies, the Israeli news website Ynet said the scene of the site, where the 21 soldiers were killed, was reminiscent of the aftermath of an earthquake.

Ynet said a large force was deployed to the scene to complete the search and rescue efforts.

Read more: Israeli soldiers returning from Gaza feeling defeated, reports say