Netanyahu's rival Gantz proposes to form temporary govt to help release hostages

Israeli former defence minister Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to forge a unity government along with members of the opposition in a bid to help release the hostages held in Gaza. Both opposition chief Lapid and Lieberman have previously rejected joining any Netanyahu-led government. Out of 251 hostages seized during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza including 27, the Israeli military says, are dead.