Despondency sets in for families of Hamas hostages

As Israel's vigil for its hostages in Gaza moved into a fourth month, a sense that time is passing while world attention shifts elsewhere has deepened the anguish felt by their families as hopes have faded for a deal to secure their release.

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The weekly demonstrations attract crowds in the thousands but developments like the presumed assassination in Lebanon last week of Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, and political rows about the future of Gaza have left families feeling increasingly left behind.

"There's an aspect of, kind of, hopelessness," said Rebecca Brindza, a former senior executive who has been helping hostage after Hamas's October 7 attack.