This is yet another infamous chapter in another pointless war poor man, his family must have known this was the likely outcome, but will still be devastated now that their last hope has gone.
As Don says you cannot negotiate with these fanatics, I feel if you did give in to their demands and release all the prisoners, yes you would get the hostages back, but they'd still be dead. These people despise weakness of friend or foe, and appear to have no concept of mercy.
Giok