The morning brought harrowing testimonies from the three hostages released on February 8, revealing systematic starvation and physical abuse during their 491-day captivity. By noon, the first sign of life in 492 days arrived from hostage Alon Ohel, described as chained in Hamas tunnels with eye injuries.
Netanyahu's opposition to a state commission of inquiry into October 7 generated tension when he dismissed the Shin Bet chief as "just a clerk" for attempting to present his position. The cabinet postponed the inquiry decision by three months.
Palestinians approached the Gaza border fence near Nachal Oz following IDF's withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, while Netanyahu lobbied US lawmakers to support Trump's Gaza resettlement plan. Iran's nuclear program resurfaced in discourse with Netanyahu's admission that Tehran is "days away" from weapons-grade uranium enrichment.