Two Israeli hostages released as efforts intensify to free people held by Hamas

Analysts say the Israeli government is caught between its pledge to “crush” Hamas and its promise to bring back families alive. “The Israelis want their people back but also want to deal a crippling blow to Hamas from which it will never recover. These two objectives are probably in conflict. If they want [the hostages] back, they will have to negotiate,” said Dr HA Hellyer, of London’s Royal United Services Institute.