If you make deals with terrorists who vow your destruction, then you lose, because then you are back at square one.
Hostage families are dealing with pure emotions, but 8 months ago the UN and the ICJ agreed that Hamas must release all the prisoners “immediately and unconditionally”. Hamas ignored this international decision and vowed that there will be more October 7’s. This is why is must continue until that last combatant is either dead or lays down his arms, followed by terms of surrender.
Article 147 of the 1949 Geneva Convention IV identifies hostage-taking as a “grave breach”, a status that imposes obligations to provide effective penal sanctions for the offense and to search for and prosecute offenders (Article 146).