Dr Gershon Baskin, the Middle East Director of the International Communities Organisation and the key interlocutor who negotiated the Israel-Hamas hostage release of 2011, discusses with Karan Thapar the prospects of a deal to release over 235 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody.Despite earlier reports that Hamas is willing to exchange hostages for prisoners why has such a deal not materialised? Now, after 40 days, are its prospects diminishing? Has Prime Minister Netanyahu complicated matters by insisting there will be no ceasefire until hostages are released?Could growing public pressure in Israel force Netanyahu to change his stand? What are the key challenges arranging such a deal? How difficult is it to build trust?
