Link on Images won't work through my hover effect

Hi for the website I am designing:

https://pippacleary.squarespace.com/config/

Password: password

I have links on the images and words of this page, the link for the text is working however not for the image, I have a hover effect that I implemented with code:

.image-block::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6));
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
  z-index: 1;
}

I think this is causing the issue and if so how can I get around it without losing the effect?

Thanks,

Lewis

You mean keep dark overlay + white text + whole item clickable when hover?