"There was a hostage deal possible from the first week." Somehow I don't think "you let us off the hook completely in exchange for getting back the people we stole and a pinkie-promise we won't try this again whenever we feel like it" was going to fly for the Israeli leadership.

Yeah cool, I’m sure you thought that was an edgy comment. The fact is that Netanyahu was offered their release multiple times and he said no. Hamas had nothing to gain by keeping them as they could clearly see what Netanyahu is capable of.