Pregnant Tzaela Gaz was murdered by a terrorist while traveling to hospital to give birth. The assailant fired from bushes along Route 446 near Bruchin settlement, also wounding her husband. Her baby was delivered by emergency cesarean and remained in critical condition. Security footage later revealed the attacker fleeing on foot after firing.
Trump announced during his Qatar visit that the US was "very close" to a nuclear deal with Iran and should "take over Gaza and make it a freedom zone," raising concerns in Israel about regional realignment.
Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed direct talks with the US, stating Hamas would relinquish power in Gaza for an end to the war. Hostage negotiations in Qatar reached an impasse with both sides blaming each other.
In the evening, a Yemeni missile was intercepted during Lag BaOmer celebrations, causing alarms across central Israel. Reports emerged of secret Israeli talks with Syria's al-Sharaa regime about joining the Abraham Accords.