Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Protests were held across Israel on Monday to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a hostage deal amid fears his government is not engaging with new talks to release those held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
Demonstrations took place outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem, where relatives of people killed at the Nova music festival on October 7 tore their shirts, an act of mourning for Jews.
“We lost our children, the most precious thing,” Shimon Buskila, who son was killed in the Hamas attack at the festival, told The Times of Israel.
"You could not keep them safe and now for nine months there is no progress, nothing is happening."
Speaking outside the Knesset, Yair Golan, who leads a new bloc of left-wing parties, accused the Prime Minister of abandoning a deal due to fears an agreement would "dismantle Netanyahu's government".
"If we don't take to the streets with all force right now, the abandonment of our sisters and brothers will continue," he said. "Now is the time to intensify the protest."
Residents in the central city of Rehovot turned out en masse on Monday to show support for Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen on his 20th birthday. His father vowed to follow and demonstrate against Mr Netanyahu on forthcoming trip to the US.
Transport Minister Miri Regev was met with a crowd of furious demonstrators who shouted "the hostages have been forsaken", when he arrived at an opening ceremony for a section of a motorway targeted by Hamas on October 7.
The demonstrations on Monday came soon after the conclusion of a four-day march on Jerusalem during which thousands of protesters called for the government to prioritise reaching a deal with Hamas to free hostages seized by the group during its attack on southern Israel.
Outside Mr Netanyahu’s office at the end of the march, Einav Zangauker, the mother of 24-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker, accused the Prime Minister of “time after time, trying to separate me from Matan”.
Despite Mr Netanyahu repeatedly saying Israel is committed only to “total victory” against Hamas, more than two- thirds of Israelis favour securing the return of hostages over continued fighting, according to a poll published on Friday.
On Sunday, military chief of staff Herzi Halevi made his preference for a deal clear, saying in a statement: “An agreement for the return of the hostages is an urgent moral imperative to save lives.”
The stark comment puts Israel's most senior soldier in the middle of the deeply political debate about the future of the war, at a time when he is already facing criticism from sections of the Israeli right.
“The [Israeli military] is creating the pressure to create the best conditions for such an agreement,” Mr Halevi added.
“The [military] will know how to abide by any agreement that is approved by the political echelon, and even after a ceasefire, to return and fight with great intensity,” he said, seeking to counter the argument made by many in the government that a hostage deal would effectively end the Gaza war and hand victory to Hamas.
The growing protest movement to release Israeli hostages in Gaza has been issuing desperate calls for action, as fears mount that Mr Netanyahu is attempting to sabotage a new round of talks with Hamas, which international mediators hoped would bring a breakthrough after a previous hostage deal collapsed in December.
Doubt was cast over the future of the discussions on Saturday, after Israel launched a massive strike in Gaza that killed at least 90 Palestinians, most of them civilians, while talks were taking place.
The strike hit a displacement camp in Al Mawasi, an area Israeli forces had designated a “safe zone”.
The strike intended to kill two senior Hamas commanders, including military chief Mohammed Deif, the second most important target for Israel after Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.
The Israeli military has not yet confirmed that Mr Deif is dead.
Hamas has in the past suspended its participation in negotiations for up to 72 hours to protest against "massacres" committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, according to sources.
Mr Sinwar this year refused to take calls or respond to messages for days while mourning the victims of one such "massacre", they said.
Hamas, they said, was counselled by Egyptian mediators to immediately return to the negotiations after it briefly withdrew at the weekend in protest over the strike in Al Mawasi.
Hamas will hurt only itself at this point of the war if it withdraws from the negotiations, said the sources.
"Progress has been made in the negotiations, Israel is suffering its worst international isolation in decades, major western powers are contemplating recognising Palestine and society in Israel is putting pressure on Netanyahu over the hostages," said one of the sources.
"It has many bargaining chips now and it will be a pity for it to lose them."
However, the sources also said Hamas's perceived reluctance to abandon the negotiations is rooted in the fatigue from more than nine months of fighting.
Israel appears to be partially focused now on strikes targeting Hamas leaders and their families, regardless of the casualties among civilians, to whip up anti-Hamas sentiment and reduce the support it has in the territory, they said.
Mr Netanyahu has backed the strikes, saying Israel is witnessing "clear cracks in Hamas, under the powerful blows we are dealing it”.
"We are seeing changes, we are seeing weakness," he added.
Israel launched more strikes on Gaza on Monday, despite widespread condemnation of Saturday's bombardment of Al Mawasi.
The death toll in Gaza now stands at more than 38,600 killed and almost 90,000 wounded.
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If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Pathaan
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Match info:
Real Betis v Sevilla, 10.45pm (UAE)
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
THREE
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One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind