Four female soldiers captured from Nahal Oz observation post were released after 477 days in Hamas captivity. The morning handover at Palestine Square in Gaza City proceeded earlier than scheduled, with the women appearing in IDF uniforms. By noon, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy were transferred to Beilinson Hospital.
Their first testimonies revealed forced domestic labor for Hamas commanders and periods without food. They reported learning about their families through radio broadcasts and seeing footage of demonstrations for their release.
Israel linked Palestinian return to northern Gaza with guarantees for Arbel Yehud's release next Saturday. By evening, Hamas had not delivered the promised list of living and deceased hostages, creating another crisis in the exchange process. US approved shipment of previously frozen MK-84 bombs to Israel.