there are ongoing back-channel talks to secure release for the israeli “women, children, elderly, and sick” hostages from hamas. hamas in return, wants all 43 palestinian women prisoners, and about 170 palestinian “minor” prisoners (read: children) from israel. other than that, all bets are off. if you’re not one of those categories of individuals, then it’s good fight, good night.

source: gershon baskin, hostage negotatior, and kind of an unofficial intermediary? (remember, there’s no official diplo channels anyway)