The following is what PM Netanyahu wrote on his Telegram account.
We are in a day of joy mixed with sadness. Joy for the release of our hostages and sadness for the fall of our warriors.
The release of Luis and Fernando is one of the most successful rescue operations in the history of the State of Israel.
A few days ago they brought me the operation for approval and I approved it. I thought of three things:
One: The sanctity of the mission.
Two: I thought about the risks versus the chances, and there were risks.
Three: I thought of you, of the warriors.
I thought about what would happen at the decisive moment, because I know from experience that at the moment of the breakthrough the difference between victory and disaster is a millimeter.
At 01:40 in the morning, I see you putting the explosives and seconds later I hear "the kidnapped are in our hands".
You eliminated the terrorists, you made your way back to Israel unscathed. It was a perfect operation, with perfect execution.
I want to tell you: I am so proud of you, the Shin Bet, the IDF. You worked like a well-oiled machine.
You are simply the best fighters out there. I came here to tell you this and to salute you on behalf of all the citizens of Israel. You are the best in the world.