Morning headlines reported Hamas challenging prisoner release terms, causing Netanyahu's office to delay scheduled cabinet meetings. By afternoon, Deri announced breakthrough in negotiations, with cabinet approval scheduled for tomorrow and implementation set for Sunday. The deal includes releasing 33 hostages over six weeks in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners.
The political sphere erupted as Ben-Gvir announced his Otzma Yehudit party would resign from the government once the deal passes, while maintaining coalition support from outside. Smotrich's Religious Zionism party indicated similar intentions but demanded guarantees for resumed fighting. American officials expressed concern about implementation delays, warning they could endanger the agreement.
Hospitals prepared specialized protocols for receiving hostages, including psychological support and nutritional care, while thousands protested outside the Prime Minister's office against "surrendering to Hamas."