As clock ticks for Gaza hostages, Netanyahu faces growing clamour

Rocketing regional tensions are increasing the desperation of families and friends of the remaining 111 captives, including 39 known to be dead, taken during the bloody October 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war. "We're actually very concerned and worried that there is no time," Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat is among the captives, told AFP. Critics say Netanyahu, who is facing a corruption trial, prefers to prolong the conflict rather than agree a deal that could upset his hardline coalition partners and tip him out of office.