Former hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin, who secured the release of the #Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit (held by #Hamas for 5 ys) told #BBC said he is talking to Hamas, "trying to convince them to release the women and the children, (and) to let us deliver medicine". He said, "I think [Hamas] are equally surprised as Israel at their success in the military operation…in their attempt to abduct as many people as they did."