Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Katz respond to Shlomo Mansour's death

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released statements of condolences today (Tuesday) following the announcement that Shlomo Mansour was confirmed murdered by Hamas on October 7.

Defense Minister Katz posted on his X account that "I'd like to express my condolences and embrace the family of Shlomo Mansour, of blessed memory, one of the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim, who was murdered on October 7 by the Hamas terrorist organization and whose body is being held in Gaza.

"We will continue to act in every way to bring back all the hostages, both living and deceased. This is our moral duty and highest priority. May his memory be blessed."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu released this statement:

My wife Sarah and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Shlomo Mansour z"l [of blessed memory], upon receiving the bitter news of his murder by the Hamas terrorist organization.

Shlomo z"l was among the builders of the country and founders of Kibbutz Kissufim. In his youth, he survived the Farhud pogrom in Iraq.

During Hamas terrorists' cruel attack on October 7th, he was murdered and kidnapped to Gaza.

We share in the family's heavy mourning. We will not rest or be quiet until he is returned for burial in Israel.

We will continue to act with determination and tirelessly until we bring back all our hostages - both the living and the deceased.

May his memory be blessed.

State Camp party leader Benny Gantz also published condolences:

"We hoped so much to see Shlomo Mansour (of blessed memory) return home. Shlomo was among the builders of the land, and his legacy will be - its building and strengthening. Deepest condolences to his family and to the entire Kissufim kibbutz community."

The IDF confirmed today, based on intelligence information gathered over months, that Mansour was murdered on October 7 and that his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza.